And he was teaching them and saying 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 den of robbers.” Mark 11:17 ESV

The same man who forgave a woman caught in adultery and happily ate with sinners became angry when He went to the temple to pray. But Jesus shouted as he drove the buyers and sellers away saying indignantly, “Is it not written My House shall be called a house of prayer?” Now a case can be made that Jesus was upset because of where these vendors were set up; but more importantly was that when Jesus said the word “House” he also meant family. In other words when God’s family meets they should be identified as brothers and sisters who come together to pray. Of course it is easy for us 2,000 years later to be critical, but are we any better today?  We have youth events, senior ministry and worship services but we are still first and foremost a family of prayer?

But if we maneuver our way into desirable positions or try to take unfair advantage of others we are putting ourselves right back at the money changer’s tables. Special events are great. Fellowship is important. But can we say that prayer was the main thing that happened at church last Sunday? Then also notice that Jesus went on to say that His family was supposed to be for all nations. Are nations are showing up at our places of worship?  Jesus wants to clean His house of anything that keep us apart. Then when everyone brings their own inheritance into God’s family then together we can be the richest folks on the block! And when not one is missing we are also His family indeed!