ASLC Devotions - Wednesday

 Mark 11:17 Jesus was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?  But you have made it a den of robbers.”

I remember that during my childhood, many times my father would come home from work and start sweeping.  He'd see the mess four kids made (already cleaned up several times by my tired mom) and, after a frustrating day of diplomacy, he tried to bring order where he could.  I inherited this gene and can tell you that sweeping is therapeutic!

I think Jesus was clarifying his priorities and putting his life in order when he “cleaned house.”  He cleansed the Temple, the center of worship, during his last week, right after he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to glad shouts of “Hosanna!”  He had hinted several times about the danger he faced.  He had things to do, with no time to waste.  A  previous verse tells us that the day before, “He had gone into the Temple and looked around at everything,” then left because it was late.  What he saw there must have really upset him, because the next day he went right back and drove out those who soiled God's house with dishonest religious businesses that robbed the Temple of dignity.

What do we need to clear out of our temples this Lent?

Linda Foltz

Join us for midweek Lenten supper and worship TONIGHT on Wednesday. Soup supper at 6:15 and worship at 7. This week, we will encounter a reflection by Isaac about the day his father Abraham nearly sacrificed him. Then, join us for the Third Sunday in Lent at 8:30 and 11. Full calendar is available at http://www.allsaintspalatine.org