Those Who Willingly Worked Outside the Temple

Scripture: Nehemiah 11:15-16

Now from the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; and Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, who were in charge of the outside work of the house of God;

Insights: Just like yesterday we have another list of fun names to pronounce.  The key phrase, however, is found in verse sixteen.  It reads, “…were in charge of the outside work of the house of God.”  Now you need to understand this phrase is not referencing to the building and grounds committee.  This phrase is not about the paint on the walls or bushes being trimmed.  Those who ministered outside of the house of God were charged to judge civil affairs and counsel and minister to the public away from the Temple.  In a modern day context for the church it would be inviting a neighbor over for dinner or mowing a widow’s lawn for free or volunteering at a ministry for low income or homeless people.  The list could go on and on, but the point is the ministry is being done outside of the church walls.  The sad reality is most church attenders do not want to work in that environment because it is messy.  It can cost you financially, emotionally, physically and even at times spiritually.  It is, however, into these highways and byways that Jesus has commissioned us to go.  In fact His actual words were, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Keep in mind that this entire week is about unknown heroes.  More often than not you are not going to receive accolades or praise on this side of eternity for work of this kind.  Your Father in heaven, however, is keeping track and He knows what you have done and He will reward you at the proper time.  Beloved, be obedient children of the Lord and show yourselves to be His disciples by ministering outside of the church walls (John 15:8).  Let our work bring glory to the Father above.

Questions:

1. What are you actively doing to minister to those outside of the church walls?
2. Are you aware of the impact you can make in the life of a church by your obedient work outside of its walls?

Prayer: Father, You have commissioned us to go into all the nations making disciples.  That commission is more often than not outside of the church walls.  I confess that reality often frightens me, but greater are You Who resides in me than Satan who resides in the world.  Grant me boldness in this dark world to proclaim the gospel to those in need. Amen.