One of those “sampler” mornings when all four readings provide a little something to chew on and create a wonderful smorgasbord of combined flavor.

In Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seed. “Listen up,” says Jesus, “if you got ears to hear, then listen up!” (Lk. 8:8b). It’s not enough to hear the word of God, you need to receive it to good soil. Not to a rocky path where the devil can sweep it away. Not to shallow ground where the lack of roots result in a falling away during testing. Not within a calendar that competes with the word and chokes it out because of “worries, riches, and pleasures of life”. But on “good ground” — an “honest and good heart” which purposes to hold on to the word, endure through the word, and thereby produce fruit from the word. I got it. I’m to listen up! What did I hear in the other readings?

First, I hovered briefly over 1Chronicles 9’s job description of “the gatekeepers” (1Ch. 9:17-32). A “trusted position.” “Guardians of the entrance” to the temple. Entrusted with the “rooms and treasuries of the God’s temple.” In charge of “opening it every morning.” Responsible also for the “utensils used in worship” and “the furnishings and utensils in the sanctuary”. Also, in charge of the temple’s consumables — “the fine flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices” as well as “the Bread of the Presence every Sabbath.”

So they and their sons were assigned as guards to the gates of the Lord’s temple, which had been the tent-temple.

(1Chronicles 9:23 CSB)

The temple. The place where the glory of God dwelt. The place where sins were atoned for. The place where worthy worship was to be offered. The place at the center of that awe-invoking spiritual dynamic which allowed a holy, holy, holy God to be in the midst of an unholy people. And these gatekeepers were to guard it. Big responsibility! Huge responsibility! Would I dare to say a foreshadow of our responsibility concerning today’s temple — one built with living stones (1Pet. 2:5) and inhabited by God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:22) — the church? Yes, I would dare. As God’s people aren’t we also God’s gatekeepers? I’m thinkin’ so. Like I said, huge responsibility. Like Paul would say, “Who is adequate for these things?” (2Cor. 2:16).

Cue my reading in Colossians.

For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

(Colossians 2:9-10 CSB)

How do you like that math? The fullness of God dwells in Christ. Christ, with all that fullness, fills us. Add it up and what resource do we lack for accomplishing anything which God has asked us to do — even guarding the place where the glory dwells and the worship is worthy? Answer? We lack nothing. We really can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Php. 4:13).

But unless we get a little heady about how much we have and how great our responsibility, unless we think we got it and so we can go do it on our own, my reading in the Psalms this morning creates the holy tension required for such a holy calling and such a holy stewardship.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.

(Psalms 127:1 CSB)

And can I add to Solomon’s song, Unless the Lord guards His temple, the church, those who guard it guard it in vain? All the resources we need, but also all the oversight we require. Gatekeeping the church depends on God keeping the church. Our best efforts, our due diligence, but His ever present power and sovereign leading.

Word of God speak! Seed, find soft and supple soil. Roots, go deep. Fruit, be produced.

Only by the grace of God. Only for the glory of God.