By Pastor Don Schatz

Resting Place

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 
Matthew 8:20 New Revised Standard Version

Where are you at home?  Relaxed?  Comfortable?  An old spiritual tells us that heaven is our home.  Does that mean we have no such home, safe place, here?  Rhetorical question, in case you didn’t know.  “NO!” is the answer.  Jesus said, “Come, all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”   The heart of Jesus is home for us.  With Jesus is the safe place, the place and relationship where we have true rest for our souls.

Jesus once said to a guy named Zacchaeus, who was up a tree like a bird, “Dude, come down.  I am eating at your place tonight.”  I paraphrase.  Could it be that Jesus finds a home with us?  Rhetorical question.  “YES!” is the answer.  Yes, he does.  Jesus doesn’t just stand at the door and knock.

He comes into our lives, our mind, our heart and sets up residence.  He doesn’t chase us out of course.  Faith invites him in.  And Jesus is at rest there.  Even as he gives us his rest in turn.  Even as he makes us feel safe.  Even as he makes us comfortable in his presence and in the world.

So the two come together as a package.  No longer are we people who flit around like birds battling for space at the bird feeder in February.  We rest on the proclamation of the cross of Christ, and his empty tomb.  Both for us.  Neither represents an image of home for us.  Destiny, if you will.  No, we are destined to be with Christ forever, as he is forever with us.  Both at home.  Both relaxed.  Both comfortable.

Can you find a bird sitting on a cross today?  What will it remind you of?

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado