Jesus Guested

What Did Jesus Do?

...for I must stay at you house today.
Luke 19.5

Some of people like to entertain, to use their gift of hospitality to host a few friends, or a big crowd, at every opportunity; they are always excited to receive guests. Sometimes, of course, the tables are turned, so to speak, and we are the ones receiving the invitation, and instead of hosting we have an opportunity to be guesting. We have already established that Jesus was a most gracious host (See the dE-votion for 8/10/10); today we are going to look at the Lord when He guested.

You may recall that the first miracle of Jesus recorded in the Bible was performed, though somewhat reluctantly, when the Lord and His disciples and His mother were guests at a wedding in Cana. (John 2.1-11) Though the newlyweds probably never learned of it, their guest from Nazareth saved their wedding reception from being a disaster when the wine was about to run out way too early, by seeing to it that the wine flowed, well, like water. It's a pity more people don't invite Jesus to their gatherings, things turned out so well when Jesus guested.

When the Lord stopped by for dinner at the house of Levi many people of less than spotless reputation were blessed to be among the gathering. Though the scribes of the Pharisees wagged their heads, and their tongues, Jesus made it clear that He sought the company of sinners, for it was they who were most in need of the Great Physician. (Mark 2.15-17) One doctor who definitely makes house calls, everyone at the table can be blessed when Jesus is a guest.

You will note that I said “everyone can be blessed” not “everyone will be blessed.” All too often people refuse to accept Jesus for who He is. Take Simon the Pharisee and some of his colleagues. First, Simon was not the most conscientious of hosts, neglecting to provide water for the Lord to clean His dusty feet. And Simon's reception of the Lord was less than cordial by the customs of the day, the Pharisee omitting to greet Jesus with a kiss. When Jesus welcomed the effusive tears of woman who was a notable sinner in that village, and received her lavish gift of expensive ointment to anoint His feet, all Simon could do was mutter under his breath about how clueless Jesus was. As it turned out, it was Simon and the other Pharisees who didn't get it—their guest was not merely a prophet, He was the One who alone could forgive sins. Everyone can be blessed when they receive Jesus, not just as guest, but as Lord and Savior.

There was that “wee little” chief tax collector from Jericho. Quite unexpectedly Zacchaeus, not the most popular guy in town, learned that, of all the homes in Jericho, Jesus had chosen his to come and stay at—the Lord would be his guest! The spontaneous act of contrition and promise of excessive restitution made by Zacchaeus supply perhaps the best example of how complete and sudden a transformation occurs when we welcome Jesus into our homes, even more when we welcome Him into our heart. (Luke 19.1-10) For unlike other guests, who we quickly enough hope will depart, Jesus is one guest who we invite to stay forever.

So, whenever you receive an invitation it is a great idea to bring Jesus along with us, you never know who He might bless at someone's party, because someone was always blessed when Jesus guested. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4