FRIDAY, June 13 THE FIRST BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1549
Luke 19:47b-48. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.
I love imagining the scene of Jesus in the temple, turning over tables, and driving out those taking advantage of pilgrims seeking forgiveness. It is easy to understand why Jesus lashes out at those he believes are defiling his Father’s house. But it is important to read beyond the table-turning drama to the heart of the passage: the people are spellbound by Jesus’s teaching. While they might have originally drawn by the spectacle, Jesus’s words—his teachings of love and acceptance—keep them coming back every day to hear more.
I am privileged to be part of a nontraditional coffee shop church plant in my community. Time and time again, we see people come into the space for coffee and find love, radical acceptance, and belonging in the words and work of Christ.
MOVING FORWARD: What spaces do you offer for people to discover Christ’s spellbinding teachings?
PRAY for the Diocese of Mundu (South Sudan)
Psalm 69 * Psalm 73 | Ecclus. 45:6-16 | 2 Cor. 12:11-21 | Luke 19:41-48