What Would You Do if Jesus Knocked on Your Door?
Good Morning Friends,
Everyone is hungry for God. So we need to stand ready. We need to care deeply and be near the door to usher others into the life God intends for all of us. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday teaches us this. We need to share as the owner of the donkey colt. We must be part of a plan. When you hear the knock, when you hear the voice, open your heart….Like Lazarus and Martha and Mary in Bethany. Maybe you will find it is Jesus saying I have need of you. What Would You Do if Jesus Knocked on Your Door?
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4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, ‘What are you doing, untying the colt?’ 6They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.
Mark 11:4-7 (NRSV)
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12Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. 13Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:12-16
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17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
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19’Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust* consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust* consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.22 ‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; 23but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 ‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.*
Matthew 6:19-24 (NRSV)
Message: Only the power of God can free us of our self-centeredness…can nudge us… change us…reorient us… so that our hearts are responsive to Him and His power demonstrated through us in service and faith… In the power of God we become compelled to serve and share. Here we discover that when God’s power changes our priorities, we receive a priceless gift. I know that missions do not rank as a priority for most Christians. I have to wonder if we have lost track. But I for one am not discouraged…God will not be suppressed. If you do not come to Him, He may come to you….knocking at the door of your heart. And if God sees our shameful practices in the Temple area (for we are part of the new Temple) maybe Jesus will cleanse us to. For here we might just remember that Jesus suffered outside the door of the City so we might be made Holy. Here money and service is trapped energy waiting to be released for God’s purposes. And it is released when we release our will to God as part of a network of believers….We are released when we open our eyes to the wide wonder of the world. This is not a message about stewardship giving. The message here is more transformational than writing a check. It is about embracing a life of worshipping God. It is about the story of Martha and Mary. It connects to help us to understand that we must serve with the worshipping heart of Mary and the commitment of a Martha. It is about integrating our service to the poor as an act of worship. You can have it both ways and should, because when you do, you store up wealth in heaven. Imagine for a moment what it would be like if you took the words of Jesus serious. It is obvious to the poor and yet difficult for those with wealth to see. That is one reason that Jesus says to help the poor. We can never ignore these words. But don’t think it a burden. We are expected to already know that this is God’s will for us to give to the poor so we might learn…to show them to door into the City.
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24; Hebrews 13:16
Message: You cannot serve God and money both. So think to the future in setting your priorities and serve God. Set you sites on heaven. Set your sites on eternity and look to serve the poor each day as an act of worship and thanksgiving. God’s economic plan realizes that there is some misplaced wealth.
Pray we find joy in the giving not the keeping.
Pray we respond to the leaning of the Holy Spirit… that we recognize the difference between eternal and temporary priorities. Pray that we recognize that some choices bring only temporary happiness. Pray that God is reflected in our schedules, spending and speech. Pray that we make choices that lead to long term joy. Pray that we seek God’s purpose in our lives. Pray that our hearts are filled with love. Pray that we stand at the door ….ready to serve.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 