babel-ing

this past sunday's sermon was about how jesus drives the money changers and folks selling sacrifices at the temple out of the temple. the gist (always) is that jesus is passionate about God's glory. so when things aren't right in the heart, it doesn't matter how glorious it appears. the temple's purpose was to be a place of peace, forgiveness and teaching truth. instead, people were taking advantage of the situation, perhaps in the name of 'convenience' or 'one-stop shopping'. but, we can never really have 100% pure subservient motives. gaaaah. there is always that ugly residue of "meeeeeee meeee meeeeeeee!!!!!!! all about MOI!"
so, jesus sees through this and is upset.

i've been thinking about this as it relates to the church across the street. now that daylight is longer, i can see it more clearly on my walk home from work. i especially like to look at it at dusk. while at work, from our 7th story window, it's one of the only pretty buildings amidst the sea of row homes.

unfortunately, it's the inside that is decayed and destroyed. therefore it would cost millions to fix, which no one wants to invest. there isn't a thriving congregation attached to the building, hence the neglected upkeep, and the hearts of the people aren't there.

last week at our staff retreat, a westminster OT prof and another local pastor gave us teaching and exhortation about THE CHURCH. it was made clear that the Church is not a building, rather it is God's people. broken, messed up people. we can't be part of the church if we appear to be perfect.

except me. just kidding.

so. maybe it's okay that the church across the street will be torn down. i still fear the dust that i might be inhaling during the demolition. time to wear my filter mask i guess. but. i don't need to have a cow about it. the new prayer is not for something even prettier to be built there, but for space where grace and the gospel can be experienced. whatever that looks like.