Empty Chairs
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1-4
Remember playing musical chairs as a child? There was always one chair less than there were people. When the music stopped, you had to quickly fight for an open chair. Missed a chair? You were out of the game. As children we believe that life will be fair, everyone gets a chair and no one dies. As we mature, life become all too real. We painfully learn life is not always fair and the people we love die. If you are in Christ Jesus, you need not fear. Jesus has prepared a place for you at the banquet table (John 14:1-4). He promises us that one glorious day we will dwell in His house forever. This earthly life is temporal but the kingdom that awaits those who believe has no end. (John 18:36). Our circle might grow smaller with one more chair removed from the earth bound table, but there is one chair that will never be empty; The Throne Chair of Christ! He is our promise in this world and our salvation in the next. (Revelation 7:10). He saves us a chair at His banquet table, having secured our place through the precious blood of the Lamb. The Apostle Paul reminds us of the power of Christ to save all who believe. (1 Corinthians 15:2). A day is coming when a magnificent family reunion will take place. A gathering of the saints and believers in Christ; past, present and future. Paul captures this beautifully in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Believers in Christ have the firm assurance of joining their family in Christ for this triumphant celebration. An empty chair on earth is simply a reminder that if the former occupant of that chair was a believer in Jesus Christ, they are now sitting at the eternal banquet table. Be of good cheer, firm in faith, holding to courage. There is no reason to fear; Jesus has saved your chair.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we yearn for the promised day of celebration when we will see You, the Guest of Honor, face-to-face. Thank You for the redemptive blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose precious Name we pray, Amen