Lent Day 32 - HOST

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person . . . Revelation 3:20

It’s not very tidy,’ you say apologetically, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He strides in, giving you a hug as he passes. You close the door and follow him.

He sits down at the dining table. Let’s eat. You remember when he fed a crowd with just a few loaves and fish. Perhaps he’s going to produce some food now. You look at him, sitting at your table. You remember what he said before he fed the crowd: ‘You give them something to eat’ (Matt. 14:16). He nods gently. You give them something to eat. Your mind runs through the contents of your pantry. The out-of-date jars would be fine for you, but you can’t give them to Jesus. The bread is supermarket own brand; it can’t compare to the bread Jesus produced. You wish you were one of those people who can whip up delicious scrambled eggs, but you’re not. Even if you had eggs in. You give them something to eat. You give me something to eat. Let’s eat

He’s saying he wants what you can give. He knows what’s in your pantry. You know he knows. Let’s eat. He’s hungry for what you can offer him. Let’s.

You go to the kitchen, and come back with supermarket bread, and jam that passed its sell-by date two weeks ago. ‘Thank you,’ he says. He’s smiling as though you’ve laid a banquet before him, and you realise you have. You have given him a banquet. You offer him some more. He takes it. And it dawns on you: you’re hosting Jesus.

Look with my eyes. What do you see?

Host.

Taken from You Say by Emily Owen

You Say contains 101 biblical devotions that explores our true identity as beloved children of God.

It is easy to look at ourselves and just see our failings and imperfections. Yet God looks at us and sees us differently. He sees us positively, as we really are - unconditionally loved and accepted by him.

In You Say, Emily Owen seamlessly weaves together reflections, prayers, personal stories and the encouraging 'voice' of God to help us move away from damaging negative images of ourselves and step into the freedom that understanding our God-given identity brings.

Through Emily's sensitive devotions, God's words speak healing and affirmation to our souls as we are encouraged to see ourselves through God's eyes.

Prayer

Father God, you know me, you know my resources. They often seem nothing to me; help me believe that they are a banquet to you and remember to offer them to you. Let’s eat. Amen.