Born for a Purpose

Journey to the Cross: Monday - Temple Cleansing! "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.' " {Matthew 21:13} When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Monday he headed straight to the temple. The temple was Israel’s house of worship, a place to meet with God. Some, however, had turned worship into a moneymaking venture. In the temple area sacrificial animals were sold … at a nice profit. Roman coins were exchanged for temple currency (Hebrew coins) … at a nice exchange rate. Jesus entered the temple on a mission. He drove out all those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and those selling sacrificial doves. Quoting Isaiah and Jeremiah, Jesus told them in no uncertain terms, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Jesus was passionate about the temple. No longer do we go to meet with God; Go...

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND 'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it was scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin But held it up with a smile. "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried "Who'll start the bidding for me? "A dollar, a dollar," then, two! Only two? "Two dollars,and who'll make it three?" "Three dollars, once, three dollars, twice; Going for three... " But no,From the room, far back, a grey-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening the loose strings, He played a melody pure and sweet As a caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low,Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow. "A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?" Two thousand! And who'll ...