Making Room for Prayer (Pt.1)

(Part 1)

“Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”

                                                                                                            Mark 11:11

What was it that day Jesus was so curious to see? In the opening verses of Mark 11 we see Jesus entering into Jerusalem. He is led in, riding on donkey, with scores of people spreading out their cloaks, waving palm branches, and praising God. They believed that their Messiah had finally come.

However, upon reaching the Temple, Jesus entered into the courts of the gentiles and found a disturbing sight. What used to be a place designated for the gentiles to come and pray and worship God had been turned into a marketplace.

What Jesus heard when he triumphantly rode into Jerusalem is not what he witnessed when he entered the temple; the passion he heard in their praise was not evident in other areas of their faith.

The next day as they were traveling back to Jerusalem from Bethany, Jesus and his disciples passed a fig tree:

“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.”

                                                                                                            Mark 11:12-14

The tree appeared to be vibrant, alive, and growing from a distance; but upon closer inspection it did not bear any fruit.  Jesus’ experience in Jerusalem the day before was remarkably similar. They nation of Israel appeared to be vibrant, alive, and zealous for God; but upon closer inspection they were not bearing fruit.

Once past the throngs of praising people, past the beautiful edifices, and ornate temple aesthetics; Jesus discovered that the gentile’s place of prayer had been renovated into a farmer’s market!

The marketplace occupying their place of prayer made it impossible for them to pray and worship there. So Jesus went to work:

“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?” But you have made it a den of robbers.”

                                                                                                            Mark 11:15-17

The people valued praise, but did not value prayer. How often is this scenario being played out in our lives? We make room for praise, but leave no room for prayer.

What have you set up in our life that is robbing you of your time, place, energy, or ability to pray?  Perhaps it is time to start overturning some tables!

Pastor Scott Burr                                                                    

http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com