Luke 19:46 “It is written” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
When you hear the phrase “a den of robbers” do you think of the places of power like Silicon Valley or Washington DC, or of a homeless shelter or sleazy bar? Well, which was it? Or was it some other picture, perhaps informed by movies or your own personal experience. When we think of the seedy side of this life, we all have a picture.
There are few things in life I want less than being in the spotlight, having the attention placed on me, having people think I am someone special. I know I am low on the totem pole, and I am just fine with that. I think I know the things I do fairly well, and the things with which I struggle, or I just don’t like. I hope so, after all these years. I certainly don’t want to be in politics!
Jesus is winding down His time with His disciples. Jerusalem is in His front windshield. His GPS is set. He knows His future, one of suffering, death, and ultimately triumph. But those around Him, even His disciples, seem puzzled by His statements about this very clear future.
Jesus arrives in Jerusalem and does what He has done several times before; He enters the Temple area and begins to teach. He first did it when He was twelve years old. Even at that age His wisdom and knowledge surpassed all who heard Him.
But this time is different. It is His final visit. And even after repeated warnings, the religious leaders have not changed their tune. They are still in the profit business, just like the “Green” politicians who are making millions with their investments, subsidized by governments around the world. (I digress again!)
These religious leaders allow clearly unsanctioned activities right under their noses. There must be some kickbacks taking place. Maybe it is their son who runs the ‘Oil Lamp Oil” or “Shorn Sheep” business. And Jesus isn’t having any of it. The Temple is supposed to be the “hotspot of God’s presence” here on Earth, as Tim Mackie of the Bible Project phrases it.
Prayer is an intimate conversation with an intimate God. It is the art of one created in His image connecting with the Artist. It is the most eternal act that can be participated in while living in the time-limited world. This is where we are supposed to live!
How central to your life is prayer? This kind of prayer?
The Arnold Journey 