Joy to the World - Pt 17

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:7-14 ESV).

I was struck with the incredible emotional display surrounding the memorial for President G. H. W. Bush last week as I prepared this devotional for publication. His family and friends all echoed a message of both loss and gain in their remarks. While I was unable to watch all of the services live, I did watch later through the various media outlets carrying them. I was particularly moved to see the respect and honor given him in College Station. I was both proud and deeply aware of the part the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M played in the processional and honor guard. It reminded me of how many of you may feel your loss this Christmas more pointedly than before. Some do their best to block it out. My counsel is to simply let it come as it inevitably will. After all, what is love for, if not to intensify our affections, both in life and death? My great caution is to avoid becoming bitter. It is tragically self-destructive to be bitter. Christmas ought to be a time when we are reminded that Jesus came that we might have eternal life. Our reading is one of those clear passages where Jesus helps us understand that truth. There is no doubt that President Bush and his wife, Barbara, who preceded him in death earlier this year, had discussed where they would call home in their final years. It is also clear that they understood the finality of that decision would only be achieved when they died and arrived at their eternal home being then joined with their daughter, Robin. To be honest it made me feel a bit restless for my final home. I have family coming home for the holidays. I think the bottom line, however, is that I know we are all destined to be truly at home someday. All other homecomings are foretastes. And foretastes are good, unless they become substitutes. Let every loss and every delight send your hearts thinking about you real home in heaven. That the joy Jesus brings to the world!