destroyer
"It was to destroy the devil's works that the Son of God revealed Himself." —1 John 3:8
Jesus came to this earth "to destroy the devil's works" (1 Jn 3:8). Satan's works cannot stand next to those of God. Anything built on a foundation based on evil must first be overturned and destroyed. Therefore, Jesus' initial work must be that of a demolition crew. First, He needs to clear the building site of the existing structure if it is not founded on Him (see 1 Cor 3:10-11). Only then will He lay a new foundation and build His kingdom.
Jesus is zealous for His house (Jn 2:17). He is determined to build things the right way, and so He'll have to rip out and cut down an unstable foundation (see Lk 13:9). He clears the ground (Mt 3:10) completely and thoroughly. Jesus intends to build His kingdom, and nothing will stand that opposes His work.
If anything in your life is opposed to God's kingdom, you don't have to wait. You can do some of the clearing yourself to prepare the way of the Lord. Ask Jesus to show you what needs to "go" in your life. Then "clear Him a straight path" (Lk 3:4) so that Jesus can spend His time doing the building.
Prayer: Father, do in me whatever You must in order to do through me whatever You will.
Promise: "No one begotten of God acts sinfully because he remains of God's stock; he cannot sin because he is begotten of God." —1 Jn 3:9
Praise: St. Elizabeth was a mother of five, was only a Catholic for sixteen years, and died at the young age of forty-six. However, she found time to lay the foundation for the American parochial school system.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012
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