Advent thoughts: Ethan

Proud of my son, Ethan, who wrote this in his fifteenth year for our church's Advent devotional series.

Advent Meditation Friday, 7 December 2012 Christian Houses This passage makes me think that all Christians live in God’s house, so therefore, the houses of those who believe in him are the same, and all Christians should be able to enter and exit as they please. It makes me wonder about what happened to that idea in today’s era. Maybe it was the thieves. I think we should still be able to do that, and in a way, we do. Most of our friends are Christian, and we visit and hang out with our friends on a little under than half of the days of the year. What the passage means is more than that, I suppose. In today’s society, one does not simply allow a stranger in their house, Christian or not. It’s dangerous, and not many people these days are not as trustworthy as we’d like to believe. However, the passage may mean even more than that. It resurfaces many times throughout the Bible, and is probably known and ignored by many of us, including me. It’s giving what we have willingly for those who don’t have our resources. Many times, someone has come to me and asked for money, but I didn’t give it. It’s our place, I think, as Christians, to give what we have, and I believe Jesus was testing “The Big Twelve” by telling them to go to houses and live as long as they needed, and they were testing those who owned the houses to let the disciples in and house and feed and clothe them. It’s a challenge that has been issued to us as a society. Devotional by Ethan Thompson Luke 9:1-6 The Mission of the Twelve 1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money – not even an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. Merry Christmas! First Baptist Church of Christ 511 High Place, Macon, GA 31201 fbcxmacon.org