Robert is my neighbor. I do not know if he was ever in the Marines, but I do know that he is very faithful. It makes no difference what I need, but when I need something, I call him and he is ready to help.
When I received my talking scales, I could not find where to put the batteries because of my visual handicap. In no time Robert found the compartment for the batteries and found a button to push to make the scales talk to me in pounds rather than kilograms. And late one evening there was a puddle of water coming out of the refrigerator, and Robert found the valve to turn off the water line to the ice maker. He never handed me a list of things that he promised to do, he simply let me know if I needed something to call him. A faithful neighbor.
Jesus is more than a faithful neighbor. In Hebrews 3:6 he is described as a faithful son over the House of God, and we are the House of God if we continue to be faithful in our confidence and our hope in Jesus.
Jesus did what the father asked him to do: born of the Virgin Mary, suffer under Pontius Pilate, be crucified die and rise again. It was not spelled out as it has been in the crisp clear sentences of decree, but the whole of his mission on earth is found here and there in the Old Testament. He summed up his mission one day by saying. ‘I must fulfil all righteousness’. He did everything the father asked him to do, and so the letter to the Hebrews describes him as a faithful son over the House of God, over all of God’s people.
And we are the House of God, the people of God if we do what God asks us to do. The word of God sums up that assignment very briefly: ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.’
That sounds so simple, so easy. But once you take that step you will see an open door inviting you to be a neighbor. If that puzzles you, call me 573-529-0584 and I will introduce you to Robert.
Thanks to Robert and his dear wife Karen for being faithful neighbors all these years.
Elmer Schiefer, Pastor Emeritus
elmer@myglobalemail.com
573-529-0584
Facebook Comments