Tuesday, December 04, 2007

December 4

Sometimes house guests are messy. Or lazy. Sometimes guests are just a lot of work. They disrupt our schedule and our regular routine and sometimes even critique the way you do things or clean your house. Sometimes they just plain overstay their welcome. Sometimes they even arrive unannounced!

The above paragraph is from yesterday's blog. But I got to thinking that this paragraph really describes Jesus. He really was the unruly house guest. He called people from their comfortable lives, jobs and homes to follow him. When he arrived in people's homes, large crowds followed him. And the crowd's weren't these friendly, outgoing, clean-up-after-yourself type people, either. Mostly they were sick, demon-possessed, paralyzed, or the sickest of them all--Pharisees. He often brought with him outcasts of society--like tax collectors, prostitutes, and children and women. His arrival was often unannounced or delayed, such as the case was with Lazarus. A few days delayed. And people like Mary & Martha welcomed them into their homes.

In the end, those who did welcome Jesus in to their homes were blessed. Sometimes even healed, as was the case for Peter's mother-in-law in Matthew 8:14-15. Jesus healed her with such power that all he had to do was "touch her hand and the fever left her." And then "she got up and began to wait on him". I would have rather laid around in bed for a while longer, myself.

Jesus is a demanding house guest. He requires a lot. Well, everything. Our time, our resources, our relationships, our dreams, and most importantly, our heart. He comes when we least expect it and demands our attention.

In the grocery store parking lot when you're in a hurry...one close up parking spot and one elderly driver can make for a demanding situation. At the toy store when you're looking for that must-have gift of the season your child can't live without...one last toy on the shelf and one tired looking mother racing you toward the shelf can make for a demanding situation. One quiet evening at home, alone with your family...interrupted by a call for a ride to the airport or a meal dropped off to a family in need can make for a demanding situation.

Which do you choose--to serve this demanding house guest named Jesus or yourself--taking that up front parking spot--you were there first, right? grabbing that toy of the shelf--your child deserves it right? Not answering the phone--I earned this night at home, right?

As I prepare for this busy holiday season--there are so many demands on my time, my money, my energy and yet Jesus says "Freely you received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

How can I argue with that?

What will you do today to recognize that Jesus is your ultimate house guest?

How will you give him 5-star service today?

And most importantly, how will you let others know they can have this unruly house guest come into their lives and clean it up by making it messy?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Do you know what? In Arabic when you say "Christmas" it is actually translated "holiday of THE birth" it's really close to "birthday" which is translated, "holiday of a birth." This is THE most important birth! I feel like singing the song, "Go Tell It on The Mountain!" And, I'm going to go burn some frankinsence!! :) :)