A Rich Welcome

One of the first commercial jobs I worked was on the Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, one of the few 5-star hotels and resorts in San Diego.  It was nestled in the hills of Carlsbad and overlooked the highly acclaimed Aviara golf course designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.  After the job was completed, I returned to the site after operations were in full swing to do some final touches.  It was a totally different world:  a dirt carpark once full of work trucks and portable toilets was paved and adorned with Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars.  The delicious smell of lobster bisque simmering in the kitchen wafted across the rooftop.  In a staff room I noticed a white board that listed all the VIPs they were preparing to host that day--people who were known locally and internationally.  My name was not on the list, by the way. :)

While I was given access to the Four Seasons Resort to do my job, I did not feel welcomed there.  It was not a place where I was known or my arrival was prepared for with special considerations.  I was in no way looking for favours, nor did I feel entitled to hospitality because I did not hire a room for the night, make a tee-time or dinner reservation.  Exclusive venues are something I am usually excluded from because I will not spend a thousand dollars a night for a room or pay hundreds to play a round of golf.  Similar to what the Shunammite woman said to Elisha, I am content to dwell among my own people.  I would likely choose pub food over gourmet offerings (if seeking value for money) and feel more at home in a bowling alley than a country club.  Exclusive places like the Four Seasons Resort remind me continually with the persistent feeling I do not belong there as the price to participate is above my means.

The situation is different concerning the kingdom of heaven, for there is no place on earth more exclusive, costly or impossible to enter on one's own merit.  It is only by God's grace the Door to heaven has been opened to us unworthy sinners.  God has come to mankind in the person of Jesus Christ, opened a way of salvation and eternal life by His own sacrifice, and He invites all to repent of sin and trust in Him.  Jesus told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them so where He is they can be also.  Peter wrote to believers in 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV), "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  We can have full confidence in our good standing with God by receiving and obeying the Gospel, knowing by grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves.  We are nobodies now known in heaven by God who will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ--who is our Most Important Person--the Light of the World, the Door, the Vine, the Good Shepherd, the Living Bread, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

God has better things in store for His people than luxury cars, accommodation and delicious food that perishes:  He knows us, loves us and has welcomes us into His family permanently.  Upon entering eternity, we will be welcomed into His presence where we truly belong.  Today we might feel more "at home" in a casual pub setting than an exclusive resort, but life in this corrupted world in our corruptible bodies is not home for Christians.  In the eternal kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ is where we are known and belong--not because we have earned the right or paid to be members--but because Jesus has paid for our redemption and we are in Him by faith.  As members of the church, we are part of His body of which Jesus is the Head.  How wonderful it is to be accepted, loved and known by God!  Like crippled Mephibosheth was given a place at king David's table daily, a lowly servant of God will be a household name in heaven by God's grace.  Knowing we will receive a rich welcome into God's eternal kingdom, let's be those who accept, love and welcome one another in fellowship today.