He entered into the temple

-->And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers."

Luke 19:45,46 ESV

Earlier in the chapter Jesus disciples are proclaiming Him to be King. The Pharisees on the other hand are telling Him to quiet His disciples. Their Lord and King is coming into His city, His temple and they refuse to see Him for who He is. They want to cling to power and refuse to relinquish it to God.

Jesus then prophesy’s the end of the Pharisees reign and the fall of Jerusalem. Jesus entered into the temple. Think of the significance of this moment, God in the flesh entering His temple. Upon entering He quotes prophecy, (Isaiah 56:7). As He is driving out the merchants He is proclaiming, this is my house! The Lord claimed His Holy Temple and drove out those that profaned it.

Jesus is letting it be known in no uncertain terms that He will reign as King. The Messiah has arrived, salvation and restoration are at hand. The hypocritical religious leadership will fall. Jesus purged His temple that day, showing that it was time for a change.

When I read these verses I am reminded that Jesus is King and that we are His new Jerusalem and He reigns supreme. We must never forget that we are subject to His leadership and authority. There is no earthly authority above Him, we serve only one master, Jesus the Christ! He is our teacher, our shepherd, our savior and our King.

Does Jesus reign in your life? Does He reign in the congregation where you attend? If He doesn't He needs to. Simply being religious like the Pharisees won't cut it. Obedience to the King is what is necessary. Let's serve Him today.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15 ESV

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman

How difficult it is

 "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

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Luke 18:24b,25 ESV

Every time I read theses verses I am reminded of just how wealthy I really am and I ask myself is that wealth standing in the way of my work for the kingdom? Have you ever asked yourself the same question? Most of us don't think of ourselves as being all that wealthy, but in America most of us truly are, compared to the world around us. The problem is that we are still pursuing more wealth, a higher paying job, nicer home, better car and so on. On average most of us put more time into these pursuits than we do serving the Lord to our fullest.

In the verses preceding the two we are looking at, the rich ruler made a conscious decision to pursue his wealth rather than the kingdom. Jesus makes it clear that those that are wealthy have a hard time giving themselves to the kingdom work. (see verse 25) The reality is that it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, which is why Jesus uses this example. He wants His audience to realize that choices have to be made if one wants to enter into the kingdom, hard choices.

Today ask yourself; what is it that I am pursuing? Is it what this world has to offer, or is it what Jesus has to offer? Either is not a trivial pursuit, both have their rewards one temporal, the other eternal. Which will you choose?

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman