ROOM
AND BOARD
READ:
John
14:1-11
I
go to prepare a place
for
you. –John 14:2
On a recent trip to England, my wife and
I visited Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. The house is more than 400 years old, and it
was the childhood and family home of William Shakespeare’s wife.
The tour guide drew our attention to a
table made with wide boards. One side
was used for eating meals and the other for chopping food. In English life, different expressions grew from
this usage as the word board became
associated with food, housing, honesty, and authority. An in would offer “room and board” –that is, sleeping and eating accommodations. In taverns where customers played cards, they
were told to keep their hands “above
board” to make sure they weren’t cheating.
And in the home, the father was given a special chair at the head of the
table where he was called “chairman of
the board.”
As I reflected on this, I thought about
how Jesus is our “room and board.” He is our source of spiritual nourishment
(John
6:35, 54); He empowers us to live a life of integrity (14:21);
He is our loving Master (Philippians 2:11); and He is even
now preparing our eternal home. He
promised: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2;
see also 14:1-4, 23). His grace
has provided our everlasting room and board. –Dennis Fisher
Pardon for sin and a peace that
endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to
guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for
tomorrow-
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand
beside. – Chisholm
***********************************************
Christ
meets our needs now and for eternity.
INSIGHT
John
13-17 records Jesus’ “farewell” speech, His last words to His disciples just
hours before His crucifixion. Jesus
spoke to humble and loving service (Ch.13), of heaven (ch.14), of what it takes
to be His disciple (ch.15), and of the Holy Spirit (chs. 14, 16). His speech culminated in a prayer for His
disciples (ch.17).
Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator’s Love Always
Unity & Peace
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