The Father’s house

All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers. His parents were astonished when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find you.’

He answered them, ‘Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand his answer. (verses 47-50)

Read Luke 2:41-52

Jesus considers your church to be his Father’s house. Have you ever thought of it like that?

A visitor from the community spoke at the dedication of our new church building and put it this way, ‘I came here today and found that God is here’. He was right. He had found what Jesus promises will happen wherever people gather in his name.

Jesus loved being in church. He joined in synagogue worship wherever he went, and sometimes he even led in worship. It was his Father’s house, his home, where he belonged. Those who listened to him were amazed at what he had to say. It was always so much more than what others had to say. No wonder; he was, after all, God’s voice, God speaking to us, God’s word that had now become flesh. His parents, Mary and Joseph, still had so much to learn about this-and don’t we too?

As you enter your church building next time, stop for a moment and remember that this is your heavenly Father’s house, that Jesus is there. That’s a good way to start your worship.

Lord Jesus, I love my church and I love the people that worship with me. Help me to remember that you are always there and that it is your Father’s house. Amen.

by Len Tscharke, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2006)

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