A Full House
Last
weekend, for the first time since they left for college, both of my sons,
Jonathan and Nathaniel, came home for the weekend—or at least a part of
it. Since Nathaniel’s school is only
about 40 minutes away from Jonathan’s and pretty much on the way home, he
picked-up Nathaniel on Friday night and they arrived home at about 10:15
pm. That night over snacks and the next
morning over breakfast, all five of us sat in the kitchen talking and
eating. Conversations were flying in
every direction as we all tried to catch up on what was going on in each
other’s lives. By Saturday evening
Nathaniel caught a ride back to school. Jonathan was gone by Sunday
evening. Well, it was nice while it
lasted. At least for a few hours we had
a full house!
Those
who know me know that I like to have my family around. I like it when the whole family is sitting around
the dinner table, talking and eating and sharing the stories of the day. I like the late night commotion that goes
along with everyone being together. And,
that extends not only to our immediate family, but I really like having
company, extended family and friends over for a meal or even just for
coffee. I really do like a full house.
In
the gospels, Jesus tells a parable about a man who was having a great big
banquet. The invitations went out, but when the responses to his invitations
came back, it turned out that no one was coming. All those who had been invited
had their excuses as to why they couldn’t make the banquet. Jesus then went on to say: “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out
to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’” (Luke 14:23 – NIV)
I
believe Jesus was revealing to us a bit of the heart of God, our heavenly
Father. He was showing us that God loves
a full house! In fact, it is not only
God’s desire but, his plan to have a full house. Thus, he has done and is doing all he can to
bring people into his household. That is
why he sent his Son, Jesus. That is why he has given the Holy Spirit. That is why he has raised up a people called,
the Church. That is why he continues to
work in our world today, meeting people on a very personal level. It is all for the purpose of inviting and
bringing people like you and me into his house.
I’m
grateful today that God has made a way for me to be part of his household; I
hope you are too. But, I’m also
challenged to be like the servant in the parable, to do my part to let others
know that God’s invitation still stands. After all, God still loves a full house!
Have
a great day!
Pastor
Tim Harris
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