Homeless Landlord – Scripture: Matthew 8:20

Not long ago, there was a landlord who helped poor families have a place to call home. This landlord was known for fair prices compared to other landlords, sometimes through no fault of his own. He completed needed repairs promptly and genuinely cared for his tenants. It was no surprise that he sent birthday cards, new shoes for children, etc. Other landlords were known for unreasonable prices and untimely care for the needs of their properties. However, they were uncompromising when it came to collecting payments when due. Although this compassionate landlord managed many properties and housed many families, he did not have a home of his own. Sometimes he lived in a shelter, sometimes at a friend’s house. One day, a tenant asked him why a man of his accomplishments didn’t just buy himself a nice home in a good neighborhood. The landlord responded, “After living a lifestyle that many people dream of, I decided that my place of residence would be one where others would be welcome.” The tenant was confused. The landlord continued, “I have learned a lot about myself and others through this experience. Interestingly, even though each of my properties has a spare room in the basement that is off-limits to tenants, I rarely get invited to stay the night after I’ve spent the entire day repairing and restoring equipment for their convenience.” The tenant asked, “But you’re the landlord, why don’t you just use your key and come and go as you please?” The landlord responded, “Because I choose to follow the law of kindness. I don’t use my power to stay where I’m not invited.”

In Matthew 8:20, Jesus describes his situation as similar to that of the landlord above: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Why did the One who called light out of darkness and created a garden for the first couple not have a home during his earthly ministry? His ministry continues in the lives of his people, and the question for us is: Is God still homeless?

Where the Almighty dwells

I dare not diminish the greatness of our Creator and Redeemer! He existed before all things and will exist long after all things! He knows everything and can do everything! He occupies territory above the Milky Way! Psalm 11:4 says, “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his throne in the heavens. He beholds all the people of the earth; his eyes are upon them.” Yet, He desires to live in us. How mysterious! In 1 Corinthians 6:19,20, the Corinthians are asked a question that applies to us: “Know ye not that your bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?” God longs to have an intimate relationship with us, to make us two one. Ignorance of this contents us with practices that devalue our value and our contribution. Realization of this leads us to pursue purity through the regenerating power of God. He longs to live in us. The apostle continues, “…you are not your own; you have been bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your bodies.” The demands upon us are not unreasonable, for an infinite investment has been made.

The enemy must be driven out

While God has the right to claim us as His people, it requires our consent. The enemy has taken advantage of the weaknesses of our fleshly nature to enter our hearts and has taken root in our hearts. His presence is shown through our habits, private meditations, entertainment choices, how we treat one another, and our disregard for God’s laws. Luke 22:3,4 says, “Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, and he went and conspired with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Jesus and hand him over to them.” What happened to Judas can happen to us too. Darkness overwhelmed his soul because he did not embrace the light. It did not happen in an instant. A little neglect here, a little indulgence there, until the branch is cut off from the vine. Our job is to allow the Lord to work the transformation in us. Only then can the enemy be driven out of the heart. I love the parable in Matthew 21:12,13: “And Jesus entered the temple, and drove out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. And he said to them, It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” This shows what Jesus can do in our temples when we allow Him access. When we welcome His Word, His way, and His Spirit, He can put the enemy to flight!

Lessons from the Sanctuary

In Exodus 25:8, Moses was told, “Let them build me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” In the sanctuary ritual, the priests demonstrated the purification and renewal that occurs when the heart surrenders to God. This symbolizes what the Lord wants to accomplish in us. I read an illustration by George MacDonald that succinctly articulates this idea:

“Imagine yourself as a living house. At first, perhaps you can understand what he’s doing. He’s fixing the drains, plugging the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew these jobs needed to be done, so you’re not surprised. But now he starts messing around with the house in a way that doesn’t make sense. What on earth is he doing? The explanation is that he’s building a completely different house from the one you imagined, putting in a new wing here, a floor there, towers, courtyards. You thought you were going to build a cottage: but he’s building a palace. He’s going to live there himself.”

in conclusion

“The Savior is waiting to come into your heart
Why don’t you let him in?
There’s nothing in this world that can separate you.
What is your answer to him?

The Savior is Waiting