2004-03-05 - The Unnamed Host

Lenten Characters, Part 3

Matthew 26:17-19 (NASB) Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" ¹⁸ And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." ¹⁹ The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

I've never heard a sermon preached on the man who opened up his home to our Lord and His ragtag followers for the "Last Supper." He is mentioned only once in the Gospel story. We don't know if he was rich or poor, timid or extroverted, handsome or homely -- we don't even know if he was a follower of Christ. But we know that when the Lord wanted to use something he "owned," he said yes. We know that he was generous. What do you have that Christ could use? Your car, to give someone a ride to church? Your ear, to listen to someone pour out his or her hurt? beach house, for a youth retreat or a poor couple's much-needed getaway? Ask the Lord to show you what He wants to use, for in actuality, everything we "possess" is on loan from Him anyway.

We also know the unknown host was courageous. It would easy to allow a popular religious leader like Billy Graham to use our house. But what if it were someone who was considered an outlaw?

It's hard for some of us (like those of us in the much-blessed U.S.) to imagine, but in some countries today, Christians can be jailed or even killed for hosting house fellowships. Would we be willing to risk our homes, our possessions, our lives for our faith? Would we be that courageous? Where is Christ calling you to be courageous in your life today? Reaching out to someone who needs a friend (But you are too shy, you exclaim!)? Using a long-buried singing talent (But you don't have time to go to choir practice?) Ask the Lord to give you the courage you need to go where He wants to lead you.

I look forward to meeting the Unknown Host in Heaven, and talking to him about the experience of having "The Last Supper" at his house. Did his wife scurry around cleaning and worrying, "do we have enough for all 12?" It would never enter her head that her furniture would be immortalized in paintings by Masters such as Leonardo da Vinci! Let's try to follow the example of the Unknown Host, by being obedient and courageous.

Comments or Questions?
Jan

Rijan@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org