Friday, March 27, 2009

Cleansing the Temple

(John 2:13-17;Matthew 21:12-17)

It was late in the day. He had come into Jerusalem, greeted by a jubilant crowd. He arrived at the Temple. Those in the crowd followed behind Him and awaited His next movement.

Jesus stepped into the Court of the Gentiles and looked around. He slowly passed into the Court of Women, then entered the Court of Men. The Teacher stepped into the Inner Court with caution. He watched in silence as the Priest accepted offerings from some; rejecting sacrifices from others. Those whose gifts weren't accepted left only to return shortly with ones more acceptable.

He wearily bowed His head in shame. Jesus knew He needed the Father's fellowship and guidance. The Master had not spoken since he entered the outer court. His heart broke when He saw the goings-on in the name of the Father.

As He departed the Temple His thoughts were,”Is it for these I was sent? Is it for these I must die?”

The next day Jesus returned to the Temple and cleared out those who had desecrated his Father's house.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Mary

His mother stood in the crowd, watching as her son was placed on a cross. This is the way the government deals with criminals. She thought as they raised the cross and dropped it in the ground. THUD.

Mary recalled the visitors coming to the stable behind the inn so long ago in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. They all had stories of signs and the shepherds told of the visit by all those angels.

Next, she remembered when she and Joseph took their son to the Temple in Jerusalem eight days later for his purification. Simeon, a holy man they met in the Temple, had told her Jesus “was destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign to be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many would be revealed.” Then, he told her a sword would pierce her heart. She wondered if this was what he meant.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Mary Magdalene

(Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18)

When she met Jesus, seven demons lived inside her. The Master healed her. She appreciated being freed from those evil spirits plaguing her body, mind, and life. She desired to help the Teacher as He ministered to those He met. She seemed to be wealthy. No one knows her occupation. She became a follower of Christ, contributing to the needs of the ministry and those who traveled with Jesus.

Mary Magdalene and the other women watched as Jesus died on the cross. She and Mary, His mother, witnessed Joseph of Arimathea place Jesus into the tomb. After the Sabbath, she and her two friends, Mary and Salome, returned to the tomb. Their concern was about the huge stone Joseph had placed over the entrance. Their mission was to finish the burial preparation of Jesus.

In John's interpretation, Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener. She asked what has been done with Him. It isn't until he called her by name that she realized it is her Teacher. She then runs to find the disciples to tell them, “I have seen the Lord.”

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...