​3/28/2020 Saturday

 Luke 24:44-53 (NLT)
"44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[a] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God."
 
Today's reading reminds me of an important truth that we are all having to deal with during this time of social distancing and isolation. We, as Christ-followers, have been known to worship outside the temples and high holy places since Jesus’ ascension. The church is having to relearn how to worship God outside of our typical places of worship, but that is okay because our God does not live in a building. God is present with us wherever we go. God is with us in our living rooms, on our back porches, and in our kitchens. Although our sanctuaries are certainly important for worship, they are not a requirement for our worship. In many ways, our current situation is a return to how the early church worshipped in house churches and in the ordinary places of everyday life. 
 
Find a holy place in your house or outside where you can spend some time in worship today.