04
Come Just As You Are
Jon Burgess14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. Matthew 21:14-15
The bridge toward God had been turned into a blockade from God. The Temple was where people came to meet with God. Only perfect people though. The blind, the lame, the women, the children, the Gentiles were all kept at a distance. Jesus came to change all of that! From the flipping of the tables of those who charged too much for a sacrifice to the tearing of the curtain in the temple on the day of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the Cross... Jesus was throwing wide open the door to God! This is the Good News. This is The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I'll never forget the testimony of Mana Olayan who had spent over half his life in prison. He told me he used to sit in the back of the church because he didn't even feel worthy to be there. Now, he sits as close to front as possible at New Hope with his hands as high as possible in praise because he is forgiven. Jesus met him in his prison cell and told him "come just as you are". This is the Gospel. This is the Good News!
No matter what tool You have given us may it always be used to bring people to You and not keep them from You. Whether its a building, a talent, tech, relationship, strategy, program etc it must speak one message loud and clear: "Come Just As You Are." Thank You Jesus for inviting me in to this glorious adventure of faith with You and allowing me to invite others along the way!
