Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Ashes to the Empty Tomb
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Insulas
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2
People in Galilee often lived in family housing complexes known as insulas (singular: insula). Although not everyone lived this way, many people -- particularly extended families -- combined living units around an open courtyard.
This living arrangement allowed extended families to live, work, and interact with each other on a daily basis. The family’s values were preserved as young people learned from the stories of older family members. As sons married, they built additional rooms on the family insula and brought their bride to live with their extended family.
Jesus and his disciples may have lived in such a family compound in Capernaum (Matthew 12:46 - 13:1; Mark 2:1-2; 7:17). And Jesus drew on insula imagery to give a picture of heaven (God’s housing complex) in John 14:2.
In many places the New Testament refers to “household,” which means “an extended family living together”:
- Jesus referred to various households (Matthew 10:24-25, 36).
- After Jesus healed the official’s son, “he and all his household believed” (John 4:53).
- An angel had appeared to a Gentile man and said that Peter would bring a message through which the man and “all his household” would be saved (Acts 11:11-14)
- Paul and Silas told the jailer how he and all his “household” could be saved (Acts 16:29-32).
Are we close to our family, our extended family? Do we share with our “insulas” all that God is doing in our lives? Do we work together with others in our “insulas” to Build God’s Kingdom?
Prayer
Heavenly Father - you call your people to be one, to be family, to share and work together on a common cause, a common purpose, your will. Keep us on track! Amen
Heavenly Father - you call your people to be one, to be family, to share and work together on a common cause, a common purpose, your will. Keep us on track! Amen
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