Luke 19:1 - 48
The testimony of Zacchaeus as well as Jesus' tears for Jerusalem demonstrate that God desires genuine faith from his people.
God will judge those who peddle the faith and those who prevent people from worshiping.
It's tough to be let down. It's disappointing when you think someone is interested in you, only to find they are interested in your money. When salespeople do it, it's irritating--but when people of faith do it, it can be devastating.
It's a sad but true fact of the faith: religion is used for profit and prestige. When it is there are two results: people are exploited and God is infuriated.
There is no better example of this than what happened at the temple. After he had entered the city on the back of a donkey, Jesus "went into the temple. After he had looked at everything, since it was already late, he went out to Bethany, with the twelve apostles"...
Want to know what he saw? Then read what he did on Monday, the next morning when he returned. "Jesus went into the Temple and threw out all the people who were buying selling there. He turned over the tables of those who were exchanging different kinds of money, and he upset the benches of those who were selling doves. Jesus said to all the people there, "O It is written in the Scriptures, "My temple will be called a house for prayer." But you are changing it into a "hideout for robbers." ' "
What did he see? Hucksters. Faith peddlers. What lit the fire under Jesus' broiler? What was his first thought on Monday? People in the temple making a franchise out of the faith.
It was Passover week. The Passover was the highlight of the Jewish calendar. People came from all regions and many countries to be present for the celebration. Upon arriving they were obligated to meet two requirements.
First, an animal sacrifice, usually a dove. The dove had to be perfect, without blemish. The animal could be bought in from anywhere, but odds were that if you brought a sacrifice from another place, yours would be considered insufficient by the authorities in the temple. So, under the guise of keeping the sacrifice pure, the dove sellers sold doves--at their price.
Second, the people had to pay a tax, a temple tax. It was due every year. During Passover the tax had to be rendered in local currency. Knowing many foreigners would be in Jerusalem to pay the tax, money changers conveniently set up tales and offered to exchange the foreign money for local--for a modest fee, of course.
Ir's not difficult to see what angered Jesus. Pilgrims journeyed days to see God, to witness the holy, to worship His Majesty. But before they were taken into the presence of God, they were taken to the cleaners. What was promised and What was delivered were two different things....
"I've had enough, " was written all over the Messiah's face. In he stormed. Doves flapped and tables flew. People scampered and traders scattered.
This was not an impulsive show. This was not a temper tantrum. It was a deliberate act with an intentional message. Jesus had seen the moneychangers the day before. He went to sleep with pictures of the midway and its barkers in his memory. And when he woke up the next morning, knowing his days were drawing to a close, he chose to make a point: "You cash in on my people and you've got me to answer to." God will never hold guiltless those who exploit the privilege of worship.
(From Max Lucado)
Be careful that you are motivated to attend church to worship and get to know God better. We can become like the people in this chapter if we attend church in order to meet business contacts.
God's Compassion--Exodus 33:19; Psalm 84:11; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 9:36; Romans 8:32
FRIENDS - Pray for your friends with children
Father, in the midst of hectic schedules, we come to you. What was supposed to give us more time seems to take more time to run. What was supposed to free us up seems to imprison us. And, Lord, there are times when the only stability in the world is the Cross of Christ. So to that Cross we turn, praying that you would give us the courage to do only what needs to be done in your eyes, through your power.
FOOD
Muffin Meatloaf
-1 lb ground beef (97% ff)
-1 box stove top stuffing
-1 egg
-1 cup water
-1 pkg onion soup mix or ranch dip mix
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients. Lightly grease a
muffin tin. Press mixture evenly into 12 cups. Bake 20-25 min. Makes
12 servings,
4 Weight Watcher pts per mini meatloaf.
FUN
Paddy was tooling along the road one fine day when the local policeman, a friend of his, pulled him over.
"What's wrong, Seamus?" Paddy asked.
"Well didn't ya know, Paddy, that your wife fell out of the car about five miles back?" said Seamus.
"Ah, praise the Almighty!" Paddy replied with relief. "I thought I'd gone deaf!"
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