On the Day of Atonement, this Second Adam moved from the courtyard, representing the land of expulsion that was east of Eden, and made his way westward, into the tabernacle, through the holy place, past the cherubim that guarded the Holy of Holies, and for a brief moment this Second Adam returned to the Garden of Eden and was in the near presence of God.

God wanted this experience to sink deep into Isaiah’s bones for the rest of his days, so that whenever he became anxious about the future again, he would remember (with all five of his senses) God’s answer. The building shaking, the incense billowing, the seraphim crying out in worship, “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh. Holy, Holy, Holy.” The Lord who created all things, sustains all things, will judge all things, was Lord even in those trying times.

Christian hospitality does not require you to be an award-winning chef or to own the most beautiful house on the block; it is, first and foremost, opening up your heart to another and welcoming them (in whatever way that looks like) as you would welcome Christ himself. But let me warn you, you will be changed in the process. We live in echo chambers; we surround ourselves with voices that repeat what we already think; we are attached to screens and have become only dumber and more cynical.