A House of Prayer

The leaders of Jerusalem failed to recognize their Messiah and the purpose of the Temple.

The problems within the Temple in Jesus’ day were a result of their leaders failing to recognize the declared purpose of the Temple, as those before the exile.

King David established a clear purpose for the Temple: to be a House of Prayer.

Isaiah as prophet condemned the leaders of Israel

God had promised to come and “gather all nations”

and return “all [their] people from all the nations,” and some would serve again “as priests and as Levites.”

But there was a delay.

Isaiah and those like him were forced to periphery by Zadokites, elitist priests descendants of the High Priest under David.

They sidelined those who were critical of their selfish desire to maintain power.

Motivated by God’s revealed word, Isaiah and other true prophets of God warned those in power of the results of their failings.

This warning came before their exile in Babylon.

They were blind to the dangers since they heard no word from God.

They were without clear knowledge or “shepherds” with “no understanding.”

They were like devouring animals and silent dogs: dreaming, lying down and loving slumber (laziness), going their own way for selfish gain.

Isaiah confirms the belief of David

Foreigners are included in the people of God as they joined in covenant with God, joined in worship and prayer, and served God. This resulted in their having joy filled lives.

God declared that he would “gather the outcasts” and “gather others to them besides those already gathered,” implying the Gentiles (anyone not “of Israel”)

Jesus wept over the people of Jerusalem because their leaders were blind, unable to recognize “the things that make for peace!”

The same error that drove the people of Israel into exile are the same errors that drove Jesus to weep.

Because they would not recognize their Messiah, their anointed king, they put themselves in jeopardy. People would die, their city would be under siege and the Temple will be destroyed in the near future.

Either the “leaders” willful ignorance or heedless greed for power, drove Jesus see a need to cleanse it.

Like the leaders of Israel, over time, we seem to lose our own sense of purpose or recognize the good things of our lives.

We may be overwhelmed by continual suffering in the world, our own self-interests, our own self-importance, or we may be simply tired of all our efforts.

Other times, we mistake the interests of God’s kingdom for our own nationalistic interests.

It takes someone who genuinely loves God and his place of prayer among his people to usher in renewal of the people of God.

Out of his love for God and the Temple, Jesus purified the Temple for his ministry

His preaching and teaching about the coming reign of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus spent every day from then until his death to teach the people in the Temple, while their leaders plotted to kill him.

Jesus announced the coming end of the Temple, as it was known, and the services performed within it.

God would soon establish a future when his people would be as a Temple, a house for God’s presence, employed for constant prayer.

The things and people of God are the things and people that make for peace.

Isaiah, wrote about foreigner who minister, love the name of the Lord, be his servants, keep the sabbath, and keep the covenant.

The outcasts, the lowly, and the humble are all revived to speak and act in the righteous ways of God, the way of true peace through prayer.

They were called to the “house of prayer for all people”

Jesus had cleansed the Temple to make was for all people to pray.

This is why the leaders of Israel plotted to kill him.

Prayer comes in many forms:

Through speaking with God and through groans when we cannot form words;

Through songs when deep emotion meets various beautiful tones;

Through poetry and prose when words are formed into sentences to convey our otherwise hidden thoughts.

Prayer can even be expressed through longing for and forming healthy relationships.

Whatever way that we pray, if they are directed at God, God hears them.

As the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost, the way was made for all righteous people to pray wherever they were.

Not just in Temple or synagogues but even in homes and burial places, wherever more than one believer gathered with the intent to pray to God.

God is at work in all spiritual things: every good thought, good desire, and good work of God’s grace.

God purifies and renews those who are humble, trusting in God.

Everyone who offers their life and good work to honor God is accepted and will serve with joy.

Let us remove every obstacle that might keep another from meeting with God for prayer.

Wherever the people of God gather are places meant for prayer.