Scripture(s):
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:16) [NASB] Read vs. 14-16

“... my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7b) [ESV]


Open:
What images/memories come to your mind when you hear the word pray? Why?

Back ground comments:

(Hebrews 4:14-16)

    

(v. 14) Christ is superior to any priest, and his priesthood is superior to their priesthood. To the Jews, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. He alone entered in the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. See (Leviticus 16) Like the high priest, Jesus mediates between God and us. As humanity’s representative, He intercedes for us before God. As God’s representative, he assures us of God’s forgiveness. Jesus has more authority than the Jewish high priests because he is truly God and truly man. Unlike the high priest who could go before God only once a year, Christ is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray.
     

(v. 15) Jesus is like us because He experienced a full range of temptations throughout His life as a human being. We can be comforted knowing that Jesus faced temptation - He can sympathize with us. We can be encouraged knowing that Jesus faced temptation without giving in to sin. He shows us that we do not have to sin when facing the seductive lure of temptation. Jesus is the only perfect human being who has ever lived.
     

(v. 16) Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come “with confidence.” Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to meet their needs. Other pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is your King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your Friend and Counselor.

(Isaiah 56:7)

     

Jesus quoted from this verse when he threw the money changers out of the temple: (Mark 11:15-17) [NASB] “Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say 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 ROBBERS' DEN.”

(Mark 11:15-17)

     

Jesus became angry, but he did not sin. There is a place for righteous indignation. Christians are right to be upset about sin and injustice and should take a stand against them. Unfortunately, believers are often passive about these important issues and instead get angry over personal insults and petty irritations. Make sure your anger is directed toward the right issues.
    

Money changers and merchants did big business during Passover. Those who came from foreign countries had to have their money changed into temple currency because this was the only money accepted for the temple tax and for the purchase of sacrificial animals. Often the inflated exchange rate enriched the money changers, and the exorbitant prices of animals made the merchants wealthy.

Explore:
Do you approach God with confidence/boldness or with timidity when you pray? Why?
In your opinion, have are our modern day churches “houses of prayer” or houses of “other things”? What are the “other things”?
How does it make you feel and mean to you to know that you have a mediator in Jesus?

Get it:
When was the last time you spent quality time talking to God in prayer?
If Christ is our friend and counselor why is it that we don’t treat the relationship as such?

Apply:
In what way have our modern day churches become like the temple referred to in Mark 11?
If we truly believe that prayer is talking to God, why then do we spend so little time praying?
How can you strengthen your prayer life?

Background comments excerpted from: Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

Blessings, Pastor Ruben