In the first chapter of the gospel of John (John 1:35-42), we find John the Baptist pointing out Jesus to two of his followers and declaring “Behold the Lamb of God!” These disciples of John then began following Jesus. Jesus noticed John’s disciples following Him, and asked them what they were seeking. The men then asked Jesus where He lived. Now at first, this may seem like a funny question for them to have posed, but just suppose that these men were wondering where someone called “the Lamb of God” lived. Did He live in a sheepfold? Maybe they wondered if Jesus lived in a barn or out in a pasture somewhere. John, who was Jesus’ cousin, lived an unusual life in the wilderness wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild honey. Did strange ways of living run in the family? After John’s disciples asked Jesus where He lived, Jesus invited them to “Come and see.” The two men went to Jesus’ house and stayed there that day.
Something happened while the men were at Jesus’ house that stirred them to excitement like nothing else ever had. They were not excited about the house that they went to see that day, but about theOne who lived there. When they met with Jesus, they made the most profound discovery of their lives. They had found the Messiah! Andrew, one of the men who visited Jesus, was so thrilled that he had to tell someone. He went and told his brother, Simon exclaiming, “We have found the Messias.” Then Andrew brought his brother to see Jesus.
Though these disciples of John the Baptist claimed to be looking for a house, and went to see a house, what they found was not a house. They found a Person. There are so many of us today who are searching for something, testing each new thing that catches our attention, but we never light upon that one thing for which we long. Each of us has a sort of craving coming from deep within that we in our own quest for fulfillment never seem to be able to placate.
Is it possible that we could use the same tactic as John’s disciples, whose search yielded true satisfaction? What if we began our search for fulfillment anew by looking for Jesus’ house?
Could it be that if we sincerely ask Him today, Jesus would be willing to show us His house? Could it be that if we get a good look at Jesus’ house that that experience will have the same affect on us as it had on the two disciples of John the Baptist? What begins as a search for a house can become the most profound discovery of our lives. Our quest for fulfillment will be met by our discovery of the most incredible Person we could ever imagine. Nothing else we could ever discover or that this world has to offer comes close to being as electrifying or as satisfying. As we learn more about who Jesus is by looking at His house, we begin to realize that this one Person, above all others, loves us more than we can comprehend. Jesus’ house is an expression of His love for us.
Before you begin reading the rest of this book, please take just a moment to ask Jesus to show you His house. It may be that like John’s disciples, your soul will be thrilled by Who you find.
It is my hope that this book will act as your guide as you explore the house. Read this book slowly, admiring the Savior and His work. Let the truly amazing thoughts of God’s Word soak in as you examine the ever more fascinating nooks and crannies of the building. Let this book help you begin a lifetime of meditation, worship, and service to God while marveling at the beautiful work of love that the Master Carpenter has done.
“For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.” Psalm 92:4
Jesus was a Carpenter, a Man who worked with His hands. Although we know little about Jesus’ work with His hands when He was a young carpenter, the Scriptures speak about a very special building that He has built and is still building today. The building that He is making is His house. As we explore the beauty of what He has done, and the depth of thought that is revealed in the design of this building, we will discover how we are the work of His hands. Those who trust the Master Carpenter will find Him at work carefully, patiently, and lovingly shaping their lives to be something beautiful, something triumphantly glorifying to God. If life seems dark and lacking something; if you long to live a life aglow with joy and satisfaction in your soul, then you must learn more about this wonderful Craftsman. Behold the Lamb of God!
