1-27-2014

Good Morning to All,

    John 14: 2-3; “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

    There is a moderate huzzuz in the state of South Dakota.  We have had it for a few days now.  It seems that the high school activities association has determined that almost all of the cities that host the state competition events have been deemed to be substandard in the number of hotel rooms that they have.  It seems that only the two largest cities qualify; the rest are lacking.  Thus, there is a low rumble amongst the other sites. 

    It seems that there are not enough rooms for everyone who wants to stay so the association is thinking about just having the state events in the two major cities.  The other cities see the loss of revenue and don’t like it one bit.  Yet it seems that the association believes that without a place to stay; people will stay away from the state events.  So the problems of enough rooms matter.

    It always seems kind of ironic that the story of Jesus involves rooms at the beginning of his life and at the end of his earthly life.  Remember Luke told us there was no room for them in the inn.  Now we have John telling us there are many rooms, even an abundance of rooms.  Apparently man had no room for the King of Kings but he has plenty of room for us.  We didn’t even have a guest room ready while He goes to his Father’s house which has many rooms.  He has lots of room for us.  There is no question about whether Our Father’s house can accommodate us; Jesus is preparing a place for us.  It will be a place to stay for eternity.

    The beauty of this that after the place is prepared for us; he is going to come back and bring us to this place.  He has made our reservations and will be sure to fill them for us.  We don’t have to worry about a place to stay.  Jesus has already prepared a place for you.  He has paid the price of your admittance.  His crucifixion and resurrection makes it possible for us to get to heaven.  We have the invitation and it is an invitation in which the host is making special arrangements for us.  There will be no looking for a room to stay in; it is there and it is waiting for us.  “In my Father’s house are many rooms”- the vastness of God and his grace.  “I go and prepare a place for you”- the intimacy with which God loves you.  “I will come again to take you with me”- the promise that never ends.  This is what awaits us.  We have life eternal with Jesus in heaven.  We never have to worry if there is enough room, our place is reserved.

Father of all grace, your mercies are new to us each day and they wash over us like a river.  Be with us and give us the abundant faith to trust in your promise of salvation.  Through your promise we have hope.  Through your grace we have the blessings of this life which allow us to survive against the devil.  Be with those who feel lost and without hope.  Lead them to see that their place in heaven is secured.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret