August 20th, 2024
This week, a verse I’ve read many times has been ringing in my heart differently than it ever has before. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews honors men and women of the Bible who the Holy Spirit wanted us to remember, because their lives were marked by uncommon faith. Hebrews 11:13-14 says of these pillars,
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.”
Are you seeking a homeland?
The Greek word for homeland is patris, from the root word for father. It could also, and more literally, be translated the “fatherland.” It’s talking about a native place – the place you come from – the place that holds the deepest sense of home.
As believers, we must remember that we are not of this world, and if we feel at home here, something is wrong. We must acknowledge that we are strangers, aliens, a people who will never really fit. Why? We aren’t from here, and we aren’t staying here.
As it says in the verse above, the heroes of the faith – Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – recognized that they were foreigners, literally meaning “those who are passing through.” Even prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection, these men and women of God were seeking home.
I’m reminded of the prodigal son and the joy that the father demonstrated when his son returned home. He lifted his robes and ran to his son. Can you imagine the way the Father feels when we enter His presence? When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn in two, signifying our access to the throne of our Father. Yet, many of us sit outside the house, outside of His presence, like the second son in the story of the prodigal son. Many sit outside, fearful, bitter, self-centered, and broken, while home, safety, and belonging are right across the threshold. His presence is more available to you than your next breath!
The presence of God may not always be comfortable, but there is no safer place. Exodus 20:18-21 says,
“Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
His presence appeared as a storm on top of the mountain. There were thick clouds, thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and smoke rose from the top of the mountain. It was intimidating and powerful, but inside that tempest was the glory of God and the consecrated could enter.
The people stood at a distance, but Moses drew near, leaving behind the fearful masses. He chose to step in. How much more access we have by the blood of Jesus Christ to choose to step in! Hebrews 4:16 urges us to “come boldly” to the throne of grace. He is so kind, but our God is still as glorious and mighty as He appeared on that mountain. The fire of God isn’t comfortable. The presence of God will not pacify sin. His glory is holy. However, by the blood of Jesus, we can step into His presence. We can live with such an awareness of His glory that we will truly be strangers to this world. When we’re strangers to this world, the laws of home will operate in our lives. When heaven comes, sickness goes. When heaven comes, poverty goes. When heaven comes, brokenness goes.
As believers, we are seeking a homeland and home is Him.
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.”
Are you seeking a homeland?
The Greek word for homeland is patris, from the root word for father. It could also, and more literally, be translated the “fatherland.” It’s talking about a native place – the place you come from – the place that holds the deepest sense of home.
As believers, we must remember that we are not of this world, and if we feel at home here, something is wrong. We must acknowledge that we are strangers, aliens, a people who will never really fit. Why? We aren’t from here, and we aren’t staying here.
As it says in the verse above, the heroes of the faith – Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – recognized that they were foreigners, literally meaning “those who are passing through.” Even prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection, these men and women of God were seeking home.
I’m reminded of the prodigal son and the joy that the father demonstrated when his son returned home. He lifted his robes and ran to his son. Can you imagine the way the Father feels when we enter His presence? When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn in two, signifying our access to the throne of our Father. Yet, many of us sit outside the house, outside of His presence, like the second son in the story of the prodigal son. Many sit outside, fearful, bitter, self-centered, and broken, while home, safety, and belonging are right across the threshold. His presence is more available to you than your next breath!
The presence of God may not always be comfortable, but there is no safer place. Exodus 20:18-21 says,
“Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
His presence appeared as a storm on top of the mountain. There were thick clouds, thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and smoke rose from the top of the mountain. It was intimidating and powerful, but inside that tempest was the glory of God and the consecrated could enter.
The people stood at a distance, but Moses drew near, leaving behind the fearful masses. He chose to step in. How much more access we have by the blood of Jesus Christ to choose to step in! Hebrews 4:16 urges us to “come boldly” to the throne of grace. He is so kind, but our God is still as glorious and mighty as He appeared on that mountain. The fire of God isn’t comfortable. The presence of God will not pacify sin. His glory is holy. However, by the blood of Jesus, we can step into His presence. We can live with such an awareness of His glory that we will truly be strangers to this world. When we’re strangers to this world, the laws of home will operate in our lives. When heaven comes, sickness goes. When heaven comes, poverty goes. When heaven comes, brokenness goes.
As believers, we are seeking a homeland and home is Him.
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