Manchaca UMC

Week 3 “Make our home with you” (John 14:23)
We just returned from celebrating my father in law’s 100th birthday in California. He lives in a small apartment with Pam’s mother, so like the rest of the out of town relatives, we called on the local hospitality industry. We stayed two nights in a studio Airbnb (that’s a generous description of the size) and one night in a hotel by the airport. People were as hospitable as they can be in those situations. However, I learned that there are major differences between the hospitality I experience at a hotel and the hospitality I experience at my home. In the hotel, I am not expected or even wanted to be a permanent guest. My son got bumped from his Airbnb because a regular customer wanted it for five weeks as opposed to his two night stay (they did find him another place). At home, the desire is that I will stay permanently. At the hotel, they pick out the furniture, bedding and often to my disappointment, the pillows! At home I get a say in all those areas. I get to shape my home. In the hotel, I only get to stay as long as the hosts get an economic benefit from me. At home, I believe that I’ll be welcomed even in retirement. :)

So, the promise Jesus makes in John 14:23 amazes and challenges me. He promises that he and the Father will make their home inside me! Imagine that! Jesus wants be a permanent resident in my life. I’m not his hotel; I’m his home. Amazing! This challenges me however, to let him, as a permanent resident, shape my life―picking both how I furnish my life and the spiritual diet I will consume. Apparently according to John 14, his tastes are simple and yet difficult: he wants me to shape my life by keeping his Word and feed my soul by meditating on it. Of course, this is all to my benefit as his Word (Both the Bible and his Presence) will make my humble home truly a castle which will stand into eternity.

~David

Questions to Consider:

What practices help you make a place for Jesus in your life? What things might be making your heart not as hospitable to him?