Finding Home
“it is not good that man should be alone…” Genesis 2:18
God is community. God created every element of Creation to be an interdependent tapestry of fellowship. Human beings were literally made from one another and from the earth. Genesis 2:18-24. Humans are innately crafted to be in relationships, intrinsically bonded together down to the marrow of our bones. And humanity in all of its’ diversity was created in the holy image of the One in Three God.
Jesus is our home. Christ is called Dwelling Place, Living Temple, Strong Tower, Tree of Life, Fortress, Refuge, and Shiloh throughout scripture. We have a home in the Author of Life, in heaven and here and now among us. God took human form in the Word made flesh. God loves us so much God became human to show us how to live the righteous way of love. Our Brother and Redeemer Jesus was constantly reconciling the exiled back into the kinship.
Christ is covenant, not transactional. I can’t recall a single time Jesus asked someone he was healing for anything other than to enter into a deeper relationship with God, other than giving thanks and testimony. The grace Jesus gives is 100% free, his healing requires no co-pay, insurance, prior-authorization, citizenship, legal status, proof of residence, set of approved doctrine, cognitive or physical ability, Bible verses to spout from memory, political persuasion, no conformity to a set of values or voting record, etc.… no worthiness whatsoever. In fact, the Great Physician Himself would not meet many of the above criteria.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Man, had no place to lay his head. Migrant as a new-born baby to transient as an adult. Jesus the wandering way-maker; the Way, the Truth, the Life. Historically Jesus of Nazareth was a refugee fleeing death threats by the Empire from that first dark night under the shining star. The Holy Family were forced to be refugees, if Mary and Joseph had not courageously migrated with their baby, the Empire would have murdered Jesus still in swaddling clothes. His parents delivered him to safety so that we could be delivered from sin and death to salvation and life eternal! Therefore, I personally believe that the Constant Companion, the Man of Sorrows, travels in Spirit alongside those families seeking refuge from political violence.
Jesus pitched tent and lived among us. Jesus moved around to where the lonely and hurting were. Making his home with the least of these. By eating at their table, he makes the outcast his own kin. The Bread of Life not only invited his disciples to dine with him, he regularly invited the rejected to be included. (see the entirety of Luke chapters 14 and 15 for examples). Jesus, the Gate and Good Shepherd, also traveled into others’ homes to share a meal and teaching. As he did at Mary and Martha’s, and at Zacchaeus’. Our Mediator, the Despised and Rejected One, was welcomed in by unlikely folks. The Teacher and ‘King of Kings’ Christ Jesus our Master, illustrated humility in washing feet. For our Suffering Servant there was no task too taboo for the Undefiled and Incorruptible One. Even while dying on the cross, the Liberator saves the guilty criminal next to him. All of Jesus’ life, ministry, teaching, death and resurrection illuminates the Divine Will that no one should be alone. “When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32. No one is left out, not even the tortured wailing man in the tombs, the women at the well, not even Judas. Jesus promises at the Last Supper that he will not leave us orphaned, he sends the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, the Spirit of Truth.
We are called to live in community, not isolation. Isolation increases risk of early death more so than heart disease and addiction combined.
This is why Farmersville is blessed to have such a fun place to come together as the Senior Citizens Center. Who do you know who is searching for a place to belong? Invite them to the always entertaining Family Night! And/or Sunday School, and/or 10:50a Worship, and/or 2p Recovery Bible Study with Shelly. (or the new Awakened Life book study @Campfire Counseling Mondays 6p with Brian). Do you know of people looking for a place for their group to meet? We are blessed with plenty of space! What groups need a refuge? What types of people are feeling afraid and alone in Farmersville? What hobby doesn’t already have a group of enthusiasts who get together to enjoy their shared interest? The possibilities for invites are endless. What support groups are not currently being offered in our community? Have an idea for a new group, talk to Brian or Shelly.
And at the same time where does your pastor need to be invited, where are people hurting, who are the marginalized? We boldly proclaim, ‘Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds.’ How can we be even more open to new opportunities?! Where is Christ calling us to make home? Who is the Spirit drawing us to? Who needs a new home?
Reach out in Love to the lost, welcome them home into the arms of their Mighty Fortress, Strong Tower and Refuge. In anticipation of the day when a new heaven and a new earth shall reign, where the Lamb of God is at home among us, and we feast at the heavenly banquet of the Alpha and Omega! Where All are Home.