Through the prophet Joel, God calls for “the priest to weep between the porch and the altar.”

Why?

What sits between the porch and the altar?

The people.

The men, women, and children who God has called the preacher to care for and speak the truth to.

Easter Sunday is traditionally one of the highest church attendance days of the year, and there is the understandable temptation to present a pleasant and palatable message; to try to entertain the people in order to keep them coming back.

But remember— God looks for broken-hearted pastors to preach to broken-hearted people that salvation from sin comes through absolute surrender to Jesus Christ.

My prayer today is for the encouragement of every teacher of God’s word—that they would neither compromise the gospel message or condemn the people they speak it to, but that they would for the glory of God and the benefit of others, speak the truth in love.

That they would weep between the porch and the altar for the people who do not know the truth of God’s love and mercy.

For if you don’t tell them the truth, how can you say that you love them?

As someone has said,

“Preach the truth whether it fills up a room or clears it out.”

In other words: Preach Like Jesus.

Repent Believe Persevere