September

A missionary was going home after several seasons overseas. As he rode the train, he met a man who asked, was anyone there to welcome you as you got off the ship today?

The missionary said that there hadn’t been. The man laughed and said, Sir, your life has been wasted. The missionary replied, I’m not home yet! The unbelieving man thought that perhaps the missionary was indicating that when he was finally home he will be met by bands, speeches, and great crowds of Sunday School children. It was not to be that way.

When they arrived at the home station, there was not a soul at the station to greet the missionary. The unbeliever smirked as he walked away. Standing all alone the missionary felt a little let down. He had done, to the best of his ability, all that God had asked of him. Would it have been a burden for anyone to remember him and come out to welcome him? As he stood there feeling low, he heard the Lord speak to him in his heart, He said, you’re not home yet!

Those words comforted the missionary. He remembered what he had been preaching for all those years: This world is a temporary home for Christians. It is a place of transition. No one who lives in this world can say that they have truly reached home.

Nevertheless, as we live our lives, each passing day takes us close to that moment when we will breathe our last breath. Will we at that moment be filled with fear and terror? Will we struggle against the great unknown? We won’t if Jesus is our Savior. Christ entered this world to bridge the gap created by sin—the gulf that separated us from His Heavenly Father. Jesus lived, suffered, and died—rose again so that we could approach God with freedom, not with fear, with confidence, not cowardice. Now Jesus sends His Holy Spirit too, so that, with Faith, death is no longer a fearful prospect.

By the Blood of Jesus Christ, those who in repentance trust Him as their Savior and Lord are freed! Yes, we still encounter problems as we travel home. Like the unapplauded missionary, there will still be crosses, pains and sufferings. But we will find contentment. We know Jesus is with us, watching over us, keeping us safe until the time comes when we will eventually reach our Heavenly Home. There will be the greatest welcome ever!!

Adapted from a Sermon preached on The Lutheran Hour – August 3, 2003

Pastor David

 

         

revdnuss@msn.com