The Word on Wednesday

Ezra 3:2  Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.

Ezra 3:6  On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord's temple had not yet been laid.

First things first.  Strong God-centered foundation.  Rather than building the temple first and then offering gifts and worship after its construction, the Israelites who returned to reconstruct the temple,   built an altar to God and worshiped Him first.  Their actions spoke of their allegiance and trust in God, their priorities, the center of their motives and actions.   The world would have us build the temple first and say thanks to God with a celebration afterward...that is a people-centered approach. By building an altar and worshiping first, the Israelites were demonstrating that the temple was established by God, empowered of God, and for God's glory.    

Ezra 3:3  Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

So many non-profits, even churches, in our communities start off with a Christ-centered vision and foundation, but lose this center over time.  They might lose the leadership that keeps Christ as the core, their center might get compromised if the voice of the organization drifts from a Word-centered voice to people-centered voices, or they might set aside their Christ-center in order to attain grants and monies to help operate their organizations.  

These Ezra verses are important verses for Christian Community Development work.  Of course, Christ the Restorer wants His Church involved in rebuilding neighborhoods.  But it's only people-centered community development unless the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is changing hearts and lives in our work.  Intentionally and unwavering....Christ the foundation, Christ the center, Christ the leader...from the beginning, through the fear and opposition, until His return.