By history, I am not a building Pastor. In my almost 40 years of ministry, building is not in my resume. I have one church, one shop and storage building and one activity building to my credit. However, when you look at remodeling, revamping or renovating… that is a completely different story. Almost every place I have been, we have moved or removed walls, adding the space needed with existing structures.

That being said, it was just last spring we moved a library to moving pantry to removing a wall to gain some space for our fellowship hall. We gained about 30+ seats. That was a great addition and now we are tackling a new project… the kitchen and remaining dining area.

The area is now over 30 years old. It has had some minor renovations but is in need of some updating. Structurally, the building is in great shape. Should Jesus tarry, it should last another 30 years.

This renovation is a lot more comprehensive than last spring’s addition. This renovation is more like a complete over-haul! The ceiling is coming down (literally) and a new ceiling is going up. New LED lighting will be replacing the old fluorescent lighting. The carpet on the floor is coming up as well as the tile underneath it. It will be replaced with a gluedown vinyl plank flooring.

The kitchen area itself is where the major construction is happening. All the cabinetry is coming out. All the appliances are being removed. Some new cabinets will be going back. The old cook stove is being replaced with a flat top ceramic cooktop and a double convection oven. We are also getting rid of the two refrigerators and replacing them with a double door commercial unit. The microwave that sat on the counter is now being replaced with one going over the cooktop.

Another addition that all are excited about is our serving bar. We are getting rid of the row of tables that serve as a serving bar and replacing it with a 36” x 20’ serving bar complete with lower cabinets, having drawers and doors, plus electrical outlets that can be used! Talk about a bonus!

The kitchen was not in disrepair or horrible condition, it just need some upgrading and maybe a little tender loving care. It was over 30 years old and had served the church tremendously. So it may have been time to do this renovation.

As I thought of this renovation and our church I began thinking about life before Jesus came to earth. The temple, Holy Days and sacrifices in compliance with the Mosaic (and Pharisees’) Law was in place. As a matter of fact it had been in place for many years, centuries even. It needed a little upgrading/renovating. The promise of Messiah was known to all at the time. Folks had been waiting on Messiah for a long time too (longer that we waited on a new kitchen).

Finally, Jesus did come. He taught. He performed miracles. He changed people’s lives and forgave sins. He did…well…everything the Messiah was supposed to do. He even became a sacrifice on a cross for our sins and rose from the grave three days later.

As I think about these things it occurred to me that is what happened that brought the renovations to the law and gave us forgiveness and eternal life. But, I noticed there were three commonalities of our kitchen renovation and what Jesus gave to us.

First is the inconvenience. The kitchen, at this time, is a huge mess. Stuff is everywhere and in quite a disarray. It is throwing off our calendar, weekly activities and now we have no kitchen. Jesus left Heaven, a place of perfection for this earth. He grew and as an adult He was scorned, ridiculed, challenged and disputed as the Son of God. Makes my inconvenience seem petty.

Secondly there is the cost. This kitchen is costing a pretty penny as they say. Money does not grow on trees and we are watching the cost closely, staying within the confines of our budget. Our salvation cost Jesus…His life on a cross. It cost Him family, friendships/relationships. It cost Him… well…everything.

Finally we see sacrifice. We have to do without a kitchen and in a Baptist church that is a big deal. We have to miss a fellowship or two. We have to spend money somewhere we would rather put somewhere else.

Jesus…the lamb that was slain. He became the perfect sacrifice so we could have salvation. He sacrificed His home in Heaven to come here to die a sacrificial death and be the atonement for sin. Now, that’s sacrifice and makes me feel petty.

We pay the price for the renovations, but remember the price Jesus paid for our renovations!

Finding my way in the disarray, Bro. Tim