Memory Verse:
In My Father's house are many dwelling
places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place
for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you
to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3 NASB
In the
marriage customs of the Hebrew people after the betrothal or engagement of the
couple, the bridegroom must build their home, adding onto his father’s existing
home. When it was ready, the father of the groom would invite people to the
wedding, sometimes providing special wedding clothes for them. The bride would
be taken by her guests from her family’s home in a procession in the middle of
the night through the streets to the bridegroom’s home. The bridegroom would
not be at home when she arrived, giving her time to have her hair done by her
maids in waiting. He would be having dinner at another relative’s home and his
wedding guests would accompany him back to his own home where his bride waited
for him. People along his procession route would call out “There he is. He is
coming!” The bride’s maids in waiting would come out with oil lamps to light up
the entrance as the groom and his guests arrived. After the bridegroom
procession entered, the doors were shut and no other guests were received. Then
the bride and groom would be seated under a colorful canopy and for the next
three to five days the father of the groom hosted an elaborate and elegant
banquet.
 |
| What will my new home look like? Tel Aviv, Israel |
Jesus
is that bridegroom—for His bride, the Church. He’s gone to heaven to prepare a
place—a magnificent home for us. It is so exciting. I’ve only lived in a
brand-new house once in my life. When I was eight years old my parents built a
new house—and it was so beautiful to us. It was really lovely three bedroom
home with pastel plastered walls, lots of windows, and a full unfinished
basement that gave us kids lots of play room when the weather was too hot or
too cold to be outdoors. What will our home in heaven be like? Jesus was a
carpenter—actually a stone mason. He probably has some really good design ideas
and is keeping those angels busy creating just the perfectly exquisite domicile
for each of us. I like to imagine that those who are creative here on
earth—will probably continue that in heaven and that Jesus will provide a space
for people to do artistic projects to glorify the Father.
Perhaps there will be elaborate kitchens for all the chefs, bakers and cooks to
resourcefully prepare daily feasts. I image glorious gardens—and even dreamed
once that I was planting pansies along a golden brick road. What could be
better? The book of Revelation tells us that we will be singing around the
thrones where God the Father and Jesus Christ are seated. Knowing that we’ll
have a wonderful home and lots of singing does make heaven appealing to me. How
about you? Do you want to go there? Where do you stand in your faith in Jesus
Christ? He said that the only way to the Father, i.e. heaven, is through Him.
So those who believe in Him can be assured that He is building a home attached
to our Heavenly Father’s home. Hope to see you there!
Prayer
~ Heavenly Father, I am so anxious to see what my new home in heaven is going
to be like, but I am forcing myself to be patient. Help me to be
prepared for Jesus’ return. Give me wisdom to know what to do as I wait. I
joyfully look forward to sitting at Your banquet table, feasting with You,
singing praises to You at Your throne, and living in the home that Jesus
promised to prepare for me.
Daily
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 21-22
Adapted
from September 2017 Banquet With The King blog
© 2019 Text and photos
by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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