God Is At Your Door

The fact that this stranger knew that Abraham had a wife, and the fact that he was acquainted with her new name signaled to Abraham that this was no ordinary person. God had come to visit because in his patient love he wanted to assure Abraham and especially Sarah that his promise of a child would come true. Abraham had earlier laughed with joy when he had heard that promise. Now Sarah too laughed but her laughter was more of a scoff. Was it possible that she, an 89 year-old, would have a baby? No way, what a joke! Sarah found God’s promise laughable.

Do we, like Sarah, find God’s Word laughable? When Jesus said, “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33) do we think it’s naive to believe that if we put God first in everything – in our worship time, our offerings, and time for prayer that everything else in life will fall into place? That might have worked for the people in the Bible but it won’t work for us, will it? When Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23) do we scoff and think that isn’t true for those who are trying to repair broken relationships?

But now hear the rebuke that God gave to Sarah. “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:13, 14) Really, is anything too hard for the Lord? Of course not otherwise he wouldn’t be God and he wouldn’t be worth worshipping! God proved that he could do anything when he read Sarah’s mind. He proved that he could do anything when a year later he did bless the 90-year-old Sarah with a son. Friends, whenever God visits you through his Word he does so to bless. God isn’t a peddler who wants to sell you something you really don’t need. He’s your loving heavenly Father who wants what’s eternally best for you.

In spite of that truth, I often think that God’s visits are an intrusion. And so I don’t always look forward to coming to worship or listening to home devotions. Instead I “endure” them. But look at what Jesus is doing for you today. He’s not only speaking to you and reminding you that as God he can do anything for you, he is offering you his body and blood in Holy Communion for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. What a houseguest! He doesn’t expect us to feed and house him; instead he brings us the nourishment we desperately need. This is the kind of guest you enjoy having isn’t it - the guest who brings you a bottle of wine and steaks to cook on the grill. That’s the kind of guest you have in Jesus – only his special meal prepares you for your journey to heaven.

The next time some knocks at your door, pause and ask yourself, “What if that’s God? Since God is constantly knocking at the door of your heart welcome him as you gladly serve others, and as you eagerly listen to and trust his Word. Amen.