There is a story about a Jewish man named Levi, who was troubled by the life his son had chosen. He went to see his old friend Mordecai about it.

“Mordecai,” he said, “I brought my son up in the Jewish faith, gave him a very expensive bar mitzvah, and paid a fortune to educate him. Then he tells me last week he’s decided to be a Christian. Where did I go wrong?”

“Funny you should come to me,” said Mordecai. “I too brought my boy up in the faith, sent him to the best schools at great expense, only to find that he converted to the Christian faith. I have been in great turmoil over this.”

The two men decided to ask their rabbi for advice.

“Funny you should come to me,” said the rabbi after hearing the men’s stories. “Like you two, I brought my boy up in the faith and put him through the university, which cost me a fortune. Then one day he too tells me he has decided to become a Christian.”

“And what did you do?” the men asked.

“I turned to God for the answer”, replied the rabbi

“And what did He say?” the two men questioned.

“He said, ‘Funny you should come to me….’”

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The good news of the gospel is for everyone. “The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:12-13).

I am so very grateful to those who shared the love of God with me when I was a high school student, all those (many, many) years ago. Through their kind actions, gentle words and patient prayers they allowed me my first exposure to Christ.

Imagine the influence you have on another person’s life as you pray for them, show them acts of kindness or are just present in their lives as a light and hope – in the everyday things you do. This is particularly important when we think about our families and specifically our children.

This week we kick off a new series called “Bless this Home”. Who doesn’t want a home that is blessed? So, for the next few weeks we are going to look at the words Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 5, often referred to as the Beatitudes, and we are going to apply them to our homes. Why? Because application matters!

Please join us this Sunday as we look at Matthew 5:6 and then gather around the table for Communion. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.

Come and be filled!