The Court of the Gentiles
"For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations" Is. 56:7.

Blueprints and architect's drawings were spread all over Pastor Jeff's desk. Marty, a visiting missionary from Bangkok, viewed the plans with interest.

"We've spent 10 years in our plain, multi-purpose structure," Pastor Jeff said. "With this beautiful new sanctuary, people won't be able to resist the urge to come in."

"But," Marty asked, "where is your court of the Gentiles?"

"You're still as big a joker as you were back in seminary."

"I'm not joking."

"Huh?" Jeff was perplexed. "The temple in Jerusalem had a court of the Gentiles, but why would we need one today?"

"Knowing your church was about to begin a building program, I decided to base my sermon for tomorrow on Isaiah 56:6-7. Why don't you read it, Jeff?"

He opened his Bible and read,
"And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to serve him, to love the name of the LORD
and to worship him,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant--
these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations."

Then Jeff said, "The text talks about Gentiles, but it doesn't mention the court of the Gentiles."

"No, not directly, but who else said 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'?"

"Jesus, when He drove the money changers and merchants out of the temple."

"In what part of the temple had they set up shop?"

"I don't know. The court of the Gentiles?"

"Good guess!" Marty smiled. "Jesus was upset not only because God's house had become a den of thieves, but because the thieves had heisted the area available for non-Jews to draw close to God."

Jeff reflected on this. "So you're saying that when the church becomes more mercenary, it becomes less missionary."

"Ooh, well said! Can I use that line tomorrow?"

"Go for it." Jeff chuckled, but then turned thoughtful. "Does the church in Bangkok have a court of the Gentiles?"

"Architecturally, no, but we have designed several 'places' for Buddhists to draw near to God. We offer classes in English, where we introduce people to the Bible. Basketball clinics, guitar lessons, and field trips are common. We teach sewing, cooking and other skills to women rescued from sexual abuse. Ultimately, our court of the Gentiles consists of the strong friendships we build through personal ministries."

"So, it's back to the drawing board," Jeff said, gesturing to the blueprints.

"I'm not saying you should cancel your building project. You need the space, and the building will attract some people. But to truly impact its neighborhood, a church also needs a court of the Gentiles with many doors of entry."

1. Reflect on Mark 11:12-18 from the perspective of a Gentile seeking to worship at the temple.
2. What is your personal court of the Gentiles, the place(s) where you associate with not-yet Christians? What is your church's court of the Gentiles? What might be blocking entry to these courts?
3. What further courts of the Gentiles do you and your church need to design?