Father, it was a day of unknowns. We had no plans for the day but let the day unfold as it would. Thank You for a beautiful day together – nice conversation, delicious meals, some fun finds – all in all, a day full of blessings!
Matthew 21:12-17 (<<click to read the passage)
Many of us realize that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people, to whom the Law was given and from whom the Messiah – the Christ – came, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
And though it may seem so, it was never, ever meant to be an exclusive club. God has always been about bringing all of humanity into His family. Take today’s passage for instance.
First of all, this is the second time the Gospels tell us that Jesus cleared the Temple (see John 2:13-17) – the center of Jewish worship. My study Bible* tells me, “Merchants and money changers set up their booths in the Court of the Gentiles who had come from all over the civilized world to worship God.”
Jesus was livid for the fact that because of their deception and unscrupulous behavior no room was given those who were not Jews to worship the one true God. Jesus said, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer…’”
The rest of that verse, which is found in Isaiah 56:7, reads, “for all nations” NLT or “for all the peoples” AMP and we can rest assured that Jesus hadn’t forgotten that part! Keep in mind, too, that Isaiah had written these words, as directed by God, some 700 years prior to the time Jesus proclaimed them. God has always been about bringing all of humanity into His family!
All are welcome – absolutely no one is excluded! And all the glory goes to God for that!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Sept 3rd, 2018, Mon, 6:52 pm
