And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN. (Mark 11:17 NAS95)
Prayer and all nations flow from the lips of Jesus in the temple. He arrives not as a visitor but as Lord of the temple. He cleansed it. Then He states its purpose: this place is for communion with God for whomever will from any and every nation. That appears to be the reason He cleansed it; so that the court of the Gentiles would be free from distraction, quiet so the people visiting from other nations could meet and engage with God. The statement Jesus makes invites all to pray and enter communion with Him. His words also indicate God’s desire that we’d believe He wants to hear from us and speak to us.
Jesus knows the end He faces when He makes this statement. He knows His sacrificial work will soon open the way more directly for all nations to interact with God. The Gospel of Matthew adds that immediately after clarifying the reason for the cleansing, He healed many (Matt 21:14). In other words, He heard their requests, prayer, if you may, right then, there, in the temple as its Lord. Jesus wants our communion. The children watching couldn’t hold their tongues while seeing the unbelievable love of the Lord of the temple restoring wholeness to the people who approached (Matt 21:15). They exploded with praise. God’s love really amazes. He longs for all nations to experience it and interact with Him. Jesus made the way and expressed His deep desire; so let’s learn from Him to commune with this God who loves. Relate. Interact. Pray!
For Reflection:
“But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” (Psalms 13:5 NAS95)
- What sort of interaction in prayer do you think God longs for with you? How conversational or interactive are your prayers?
- What do you think about God having a desire to converse with you?
