How Beautiful Are The Feet Of Them Who Preach The Gospel Of Peace - Part 2261

"After this He [Jesus] went down to Capernaum, He, and His mother, and His brethren, and His disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and when He had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, "Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise."

And His disciples remembered that it was written, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten Me up." Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, "What sign shewest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things?" Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Then said the Jews, "Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?" But He spake of the temple of His body.

When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all [men] and needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man." (John 2:12-25)

But in today's world, how many understand what Jesus did here? Even among the believing community? Herein, Jesus went into the temple and turned the tables. Indeed, He drove them out. He poured out the changer's money. He overthrew the tables. And Jesus said to those who sold doves, " "Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise."

Why is this important to understand? Because the same thing is happening again. The churches who are supposed to be doing the Lord's work, and creating disciples (labourers) who will go forth and bring in His harvest through the preaching of the good news gospel, and His Name, have lost their way. Instead of empowering the congregation with His Word -- as it is written, many have joined forces with the world.

But as the Lord said in Luke 16, ye cannot serve two masters. Our hearts have to become totally committed to the things of the Lord. Not divided in heart, as were the money changers, who wanted to be blessed monetarily from the worldly currency, but rather knowing that the Lord Jesus has a unique purpose for each and everyone of us -- when we willingly step out in faith, believing on Him for our sustenance and life. It is in this context that we need to begin standing in the offering plate.

In fact, the Lord says to prove Him faithful in all things. Just like the boy who willingly gave up the five loaves and two fishes, knowing in his heart that his measly offering could not feed the multitudes of 5,000, but he believed enough to understand that the Lord Jesus was able to pick up the shortfall.

Let's begin to recognize that our measly offerings are just that -- measly, but that the Lord of glory picks up the shortfall. He is the One who multiplies the measly, and blesses those who honour and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. It is the Lord who makes the stream within the desert so that we can drink from His living water.

Thus, pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest would send forth labourers into His harvest. Why? Because the harvest truly is plenteous but the labourers are few. Indeed, there are multitudes of people who need to hear the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus the Christ.  Multitudes are in the valley of decision, awaiting the message that only He can give. The question is this. How can they hear the gospel of Jesus without a preacher or preach this gospel except they be sent?

Because, as the scripture saith, "How beautiful are the feet of them who preach the gospel of peace."

Meditate on these things this day. Open your New Testament and understand the love of Jesus that surpasses all understanding. Stand in the offering plate.