Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming

Author:Jean Fleming [Fleming, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: RELIGION / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth
ISBN: 9781612916781
Publisher: The Navigators
Published: 2014-06-02T00:00:00+00:00

[1] Michel Quoist, Prayers (New York: Sheed and Ward, 1963), 3.

[2] Joseph H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1977), 70.

CHAPTER 16HOSPITALITY: A WELCOMING LIFE

The Father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.”

LUKE 15:22-23

Our son who lives in Japan will arrive soon with his middle son. I clean and shift stuff. I buy the best rice I can find. I check out a stack of children’s books from the library, put together a box of art supplies for Andy, and make lists of fun things to do. I rein in my excitement, my anticipation of having them under our roof, sharing life with them, absorbing them into our home. A “welcome” sign hangs over my heart.

It strikes me that a “welcome” sign hangs over God’s heart, too. After Jesus’ baptism and before He began His public ministry, John the Baptist pointed two of his disciples to Jesus: “Look, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). The two followed Jesus (literally). When Jesus turned and asked what they wanted, they inquired, “Where are you staying?” (verse 38). There may be some deep cultural or spiritual significance to their question, but it sounds like the kind of dumb thing I say when I’m caught off guard. But the next part was full of grace and hospitality. Jesus said, “Come, and see,” and they spent that day with Him. Jesus—the Creator, Sustainer, and Inheritor of all things—welcomed them into His world, His life. Soon people of all ages would be drawn to this welcoming-magnet-God.

I notice that three gospels record Jesus’ hospitality to children (see Matthew 19:13-14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16), one of them stating, “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’” (Matthew 19:13-14).

Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to me;

listen, that you may live. (Isaiah 55:1-3)

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