Whose Marvelous And Spacious Mansion Is This Anyway? A Parable

The builder-in-chief is the Son of God and a master carpenter,

"Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."

(Hebrews 3:1–4 NIV)

Once upon a time, a Triune Being of unimaginable wealth and beneficence created a huge mansion with many, many rooms. This was not only designed for the sake of the Builder, but as a place of hospitality and welcome for homeless and dispossessed humanity everywhere.

The place soon began to fill with grateful tenants from all corners of the globe, from many backgrounds and of all races and nationalities. At first they celebrated a joyful bond of unity with each other due to their common dependance on the Owner and Builder, and for the sheer gratitude they felt for all the benefits they enjoyed.

As time went on, however, as the Triune One went about welcoming new members from around the world into this place of refuge and nurture, some residents began to undertake some interior remodeling of the mansion based on their own designs for how the house should be divided and arranged. Thus entire sections of this once beautiful house of many rooms began to be partitioned off for people of like mind, one following another, then another. Over time, the house became a confusing labyrinth of passages and partitions, each with labels and with subcontracts and subletting agreements for different groups of residents who suspected others of not being of worthy residents.

The Lord of the house, seeing this, was incensed. "This home was dedicated as a house of prayer and welcome for all nations, but you have made it a den of division!"

In the end, it was made clear that such divisions would not stand, and that the house was to be restored in keeping with its original blueprint. Thus residents were recruited from all corners of the house to assist in the work.

Some of my inspiration for this post came from blogger and author Frank Viola.