May 2
Judg 15:1-16:31 | PS 103:1-22 | Prov 14:17-19 | John 2:1-25
There are no shortcuts to a true walk of faith. Religion attempts to do this. Religion is all about a 12 step program, fulfilling certain obligations, performing certain acts or rituals, and you're in. But are you really in? God sees the heart, and His desire is an authentic relationship. Just like our relationship with our spouses and children involves deep commitment and thought, so does our relationship with the Lord. Rather than following a church program, one should try following the program put forth in the pages of Scripture. Church is not about one's standing in the community, finding a wife, finding programs for our children, finding friends, etc. These might be added in, but it needs to be about deepening our relationship with the Lord. So many have witnessed the weakening, the dumbing down, both by congregations and priests and pastors. It is tolerated. No one wants to make a spectacle. Yet, this is how compromise takes root, and over time, it becomes fixed. Is He the most important part of our life? Does He consume our thoughts? Or is He a by-product of our upbringing, a nice little addition to our lives?
We read in John 2:13-17, "Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” There are two things to consider surrounding this event. First of all, this commercialism was taking place in the temple courtyard. Inflated prices, people being ripped off, etc. this certainly did nothing to exalt God or heighten one's relationship with Him. But, Passover was not just a holiday filled with obligatory rites and rituals. It represented a significant event, God supernaturally freeing the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. The choosing of the Passover Lamb, the inspection and eventually the sacrifice were all meant to deepen one's relationship and dependence with God. But the courtyard scene was a way to make it easy and convenient. Very little thought, just bring your money, take the shortcut and your obligation was filled.
We must seriously consider Jesus' actions in John 2:23-25, "Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man." Jesus knew what was in them, and He knows what is in us. We all need to make a decision. Are we all about shortcuts, fulfilling obligations, "looking good", or is our desire for an authentic relationship with the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. If so, seek Him. Really seek Him. Spend time in His Word. Spend time in prayer. May we be a people of sincere relationship, not religion.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: