"A Seat Not Taken"
 
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,  Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  (Hebrews 4: 14-16 )
 
Some of you are reading this today and you have been hurt by someone who has denied you a place to sit...so to speak.  Maybe  someone has hurt you or treated you badly.  Perhaps a spouse has been unfaithful to you or a child of yours acts like he is ashamed that you are his parent. Has a close friend let you down?  Maybe you have been passed over by your boss for that promotion or for that new position.  Or, could it be that you are simply ignored and that others don't see what is really inside of you.  So much so that you feel that no one really knows you because others do not take the time to care enough to find out who you really are...  Whatever the cause, you have heard that voice too, the one that has said to you, "You can't sit here!"
"There is no room..."  And it hurts...
    The book of Hebrews tells us that if we are in Christ, we are not facing our hurts or fighting our battles alone.  We have one in heaven  who is standing in the presence of God Almighty and who serves as our High Priest, making intercession for us.  His name is Jesus.  You see, he can sympathize with our hurts because He has been hurt as well.  He knows what it is like to be rejected, despised and denied a seat at the table of humanity.  And, because of all that He has suffered, he now stands at the throne of God so that we might be received with mercy and grace...and with help in all our times of need.
     I believe that in heaven there is a seat not taken.   It is not taken yet because it has been reserved and specially kept just for you ...because you are in Christ Jesus!  You see, I believe that God is somewhat like the character "Jenny" in the movie "Forrest Gump", and that He is saying to each one of us, "You can sit here beside me if you want to..." Not only is He willing for us to sit with Him, He has actually written our names down and saved our place.  And as long as Jesus stands as our intercessor, regardless of your past sins, hurts and scars, no one can ever say to you that the seat is taken!  It is your seat...with your name on it... and it has been placed right beside a whole host of others from all time who have also been redeemed by the Lamb.   These companions, unlike those that we have encountered here on earth, are eagerly looking forward to and are waiting just for ...YOU... to one day come and fill your place!
 
  (from an old English hymn entitled)
 (Recently sung by the group "Selah")
 "Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart!
"Before The Throne of God Above"
 
    Yes, this world can be a cruel place.  There is a lot of hurt and we do have a lot of scars.  But, if ever you feel that you can not find a place to sit, be assured that there is a seat that is not taken, that is being reserved for you in a place that is not so very far away.  I know this because it is my Father's place and He is waiting for you to one day fill your seat there.  And when you do, all of the past hurts and sorrows of this life will finally be forgotten.  Only joy at being in the presence of Jesus will remain.  
 
Pray for God to use you to encourage someone today.