If ever there was a time when we deeply sense that we are part of a global village, but might want to instinctively retreat to our local cave - it is now.
Our hearts break and we feel so unsteady as we have been buffeted by a pandemic, controversy and division. Natural disasters such as here in Australia, devastating floods and fires. And now a tragic war is being played out in real-time on our devices and TVs.
A good question would be, 'What would Jesus say?'
Before I suggest what He might say, can we just place Him in the context of His world as He walked planet earth, fully identifying with us? He was a Jewish man living when his homeland was under occupation by the brutal Roman Empire. Understandably Jewish people were very defensive and passionate about this injustice. As a Jewish man, He was one of the oppressed.
Towards the end of His life, He visits the Temple in Jerusalem and shockingly rails at the activity in that temple.
He said, “Doesn’t the scripture say, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?" Mark 11:17
The temple was The Most Sacred place in all of Israel. The nation had been singled out by God to be recipients of His Word and grace. They lived a uniquely moral life in the midst of a pagan world.
But they had retreated to their 'local cave' and become exclusive and inward-looking... and who wouldn't in their circumstances? They had forgotten their original mandate, stated to Abraham in Genesis 26:4... "through your descendants all the nations will be blessed". They forgot they were part of a global village whom they were called to bless.
Fast forward to 2022. We as believers are now 'The Temple', both individually and collectively. We, like the Jewish nation, are called to be a blessing to all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The question I ask myself is this. What am I taken up with? Am I more focused on preserving my cave, exclusive and withdrawn? Is my focus inward or outward? Is my life filled up with frenetic activity or prayer? And when I do pray, what is the focus of my prayer?
While we may not be able to do all things for all people, we can do some things for some people - and as we do, the ripple effect will extend to more.
And of course, our prayers cross international barriers like nothing else.
My prayer at the end of all this is, "Lord, may the temple that is my life be a place of prayer, not just for me and mine, but for all nations."
Until next time, be at peace, know you are deeply loved, and your prayers carry power!
With love,
Lynda x
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