Not long ago, there lived a landlord who made it possible for disadvantaged families to have a place they called home. Compared to the other landlords, this one was known to be fair with his prices, sometimes to his own fault. He was prompt with completing repairs that were needed and expressed genuine care for his tenants. It wasn’t a surprise for him to send greeting cards for birthdays, new shoes for children, etc. The other landlords were known to be unreasonable with their prices and unresponsive with caring for the needs of their properties. Yet they were unbending when collecting the payment when they were due. While the compassionate landlord managed many properties and housed many families, he did not have a home of his own. Sometimes he lodged at a shelter, other times with friends. One day a tenant asked him why a person as accomplished as he was didn’t buy a nice home in a nice neighborhood for himself. The landlord replied, “after living a lifestyle that many dream of, I have decided that my dwelling will be where I am welcomed by others.” The tenant was puzzled. Landlord continued, “I have learned so much about myself and others during this experience. It’s interesting to see that, though each of my properties have a spare room in the basement that is off limits to my tenants, how few have invited me to stay the night after I’ve spent all day repairing and restoring fixtures for their convenience.” The tenant asked, “But you’re the landlord, why don’t you just use your key to come and go as you please?” Landlord responded, “Because I have chosen to submit to the law of kindness. I will not use my power to remain where I have not been invited.”
In the book of Matthew 8:20 Jesus described His condition as being similar to the landlord above: “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” How is it that the One who called light out of darkness and created a garden for the first pair to live in be without a home of His own during His earthly ministry? His ministry continues within the lives of His people and the question before us: is God still homeless?
The Place Where the Almighty Lives
I dare not undermine the magnificence of our Creator and Redeemer! He was before all things and will be long after! He is all knowing and all powerful! He occupies the real estate that sits above the galaxies! Psalm 11:4 states “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.” Nevertheless, He is pleased to live within us. What a mystery! In First Corinthians 6:19,20, a question was asked to the Corinthians that applies to us: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?…” God desires to establish the intimacy that creates one out of two with us. Ignorance of this causes us to settle for practices that diminish our value and contribution. Awareness of this leads us to pursue purity through the regenerating power of God. He desires to live within us. The apostle continues with “…You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”. The claims that are upon us are not unreasonable because an infinite investment has been made.
Eviction of the Enemy is Required
Though God has a right to claim us as His own, our consent is required. The enemy, gaining access through the weakness of our carnal nature, has already made himself at home within us. His presence is manifested through our habits, private meditations, choices of entertainment, how we treat each other and our disregard for the law of the Lord. Luke 22:3,4 says “Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him and hand Him over to them.” What happened to Judas can happen to us. Darkness flooded his soul because he did not embrace the light. It did not happen in an instant. A little carelessness here, a little indulgence there until the branch is severed from the vine. Our work is to allow the Lord to do His renovations within us. Only then is the enemy evicted from the heart. I love the image given in Matthew 21:12,13: “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were buying and selling in the temple, and He turned over the tables of the moneychangers the chairs of those who were selling doves. Jesus said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” This shows what Jesus is able to do within our temples when we allow Him access. He is able to cause the enemy to flee when His word, methods and Spirit are welcomed within!
A Lesson from the Sanctuary
In Exodus 25:8 Moses was told: “Have them build a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.” In the sanctuary service, the priests demonstrate the cleansing and renewing that happens when the heart submits to God. This is symbolic for what the Lord wants to accomplish in us. I read an illustration by George MacDonald that amplifies this idea succinctly:
“Imagine yourself as a living house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that does not make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of, throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to made a little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
Conclusion
“The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don’t you let Him come in?
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him?”
-The Savior Is Waiting