Kingdom's Keys Fellowship
Where God's Kingdom Meets Man's Heart.
Pentecost 72 Alone, A Stranger in a Strange Place and It's Night
Pentecost 72 Alone, A Stranger in a Strange Place and It's Night
It was Summer 1964 when I was in Summer School in Norway. I hitchhiked to a little town called Rauland. It had a population of about 500. The reason I went was because there was a Harding Fiddle Festival there that centered on an instrument unique to Norway resembling a viola. It’s uniqueness is that the neck of the fiddle is fretted like a guitar. Also it has four strings inside the box that resound with the strings above when their pitch coincides. When played it sounds reminiscent of bagpipes.
At first I figured I could be back at school by late night if cars were headed back to Oslo. But I was so enamored with the sounds and the people I lost track of time and found it was too late to get on the road. Several people were standing next to me who lived in the town. I had been talking to them for quite awhile and they sensed my concern about getting back. One of them turned to me and said, “Don’t worry, tonight you will stay in the house of my father.” No question in his mind. He directed me to the door and I met his mother. He told her my plight and she was delighted to have me stay. The next morning I had a typical Norwegian breakfast and they encouraged me to stay and enjoy the rest of the festival. There was never a hint of hesitation on their part. They were completely open and welcoming. I never forgot that experience. It was one that would later illustrate a most important biblical doctrine, justification by faith.
First, consider this Scripture about Jesus, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Rom.4:25-5:2).”
Second, return to the Norwegian event. I trusted to share with someone my situation. I was alone; a stranger in a strange place and it was night. That someone was a local son sensing my need. He extended an invitation to his father’s house. I put my trust in him and the invitation. When I arrived there I was greeted warmly because the son had already accepted me. His acceptance gave me unhesitating entrance into his father’s house.
Third, it brought to mind an old saying that explains exactly what Paul was saying Jesus had done through His death and Resurrection. It explains what the Scripture is saying about justification by faith, “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” Any friend of Jesus is a friend of the Father. The Father gladly welcomes anyone in the Kingdom who trusts Jesus. Jesus is saying to each of us who trust Him that when He brings us to the Father the Father will say, “Any friend of Jesus is a friend of mine. Come on in and enjoy the feast.”
Need I say more?…….stay tuned
It was Summer 1964 when I was in Summer School in Norway. I hitchhiked to a little town called Rauland. It had a population of about 500. The reason I went was because there was a Harding Fiddle Festival there that centered on an instrument unique to Norway resembling a viola. It’s uniqueness is that the neck of the fiddle is fretted like a guitar. Also it has four strings inside the box that resound with the strings above when their pitch coincides. When played it sounds reminiscent of bagpipes.
At first I figured I could be back at school by late night if cars were headed back to Oslo. But I was so enamored with the sounds and the people I lost track of time and found it was too late to get on the road. Several people were standing next to me who lived in the town. I had been talking to them for quite awhile and they sensed my concern about getting back. One of them turned to me and said, “Don’t worry, tonight you will stay in the house of my father.” No question in his mind. He directed me to the door and I met his mother. He told her my plight and she was delighted to have me stay. The next morning I had a typical Norwegian breakfast and they encouraged me to stay and enjoy the rest of the festival. There was never a hint of hesitation on their part. They were completely open and welcoming. I never forgot that experience. It was one that would later illustrate a most important biblical doctrine, justification by faith.
First, consider this Scripture about Jesus, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Rom.4:25-5:2).”
Second, return to the Norwegian event. I trusted to share with someone my situation. I was alone; a stranger in a strange place and it was night. That someone was a local son sensing my need. He extended an invitation to his father’s house. I put my trust in him and the invitation. When I arrived there I was greeted warmly because the son had already accepted me. His acceptance gave me unhesitating entrance into his father’s house.
Third, it brought to mind an old saying that explains exactly what Paul was saying Jesus had done through His death and Resurrection. It explains what the Scripture is saying about justification by faith, “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” Any friend of Jesus is a friend of the Father. The Father gladly welcomes anyone in the Kingdom who trusts Jesus. Jesus is saying to each of us who trust Him that when He brings us to the Father the Father will say, “Any friend of Jesus is a friend of mine. Come on in and enjoy the feast.”
Need I say more?…….stay tuned
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