Found Worthy

In the book of Matthew, we are told that Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and sent them out into the surrounding towns and villages to search for households who were ‘worthy’. As they entered a village, they were to go from house to house enquiring, ‘Who is worthy’? Matt 10:11. The word ‘enquiring’ is possibly a little weak. They were ‘searching’ for worthy houses, where they would find a place for fellowship. However, what does it mean to be a worthy house?

On his second missionary journey, Paul met a woman named Lydia. After hearing him preach, Lydia said to Paul and his companions, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay’. In doing this she invited a searching of her house, and then a relationship with the messengers of Christ in her house. This needs to be our attitude, because the Lord is sending messengers, figuratively, to knock on our doors. We are not talking about whether a messenger eats or sleeps in our homes. The question before us is: Are we willing to hear from another about the life and vitality of our homes? Do we invite the fellowship? Do we invite the searching?

In the first instance, a worthy house does not describe any ‘quality of living’ apart from a willingness to receive and listen. The evidence that a house is worthy is that they receive the messenger. They welcome the messenger by washing the dust off his feet and then receiving and obeying the word that he brings. The word of the messenger is the word of the Father concerning who we are called to be. If we are not obedient to the word of predestination from the Father, then we have nothing.

The Scriptures tell us that the Lord has sworn an oath over every person. The word of the oath declares who you are, where you should be, what you should do, and how you should prosper. If we don’t welcome the messenger when they come to our houses, then we will never be in touch with the word of promise concerning our lives. The messenger is not coming to cross lines of sanctification or ‘micro-manage’ our homes. Rather, they are coming to enquire whether the house is ‘worthy’ and to fellowship with the house in the word of the Lord.

The problem for many is not a lack of commitment or desire to have a worthy house. It’s simply, knowing where to begin. We need help in our weaknesses, and we need external input. This is why we need messengers and we need the Holy Spirit. The Scripture clearly tells us that the Holy Spirit helps each one of us to know and live in the will of God. When we open the door of our lives and homes, we invite the Lord to help our weaknesses. He is able to give us understanding about our lives, and show us how to live as households together.

Helen Smith

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Feature Articles
April 2008

Nothing is Impossible

The Calves of our Lips

Blind Guides

The Light of the World

Found Worthy

Seven Kingdoms

Christian Business