Planting seeds and traditional farming most often takes place outside the confines of city life. It is an outside and an outsider occupation. It is seen as a simpler home life. It often depends upon a family and a few hires to make it work. But the results are tangible and the farmer partakes fully. Where is Jesus’ real home? How was He an outsider?
The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. John 1:14 (MSG)
So let’s go outside where Jesus is, where the action is — not trying to be privileged insiders because this insider world is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City of Heaven about to come. Hebrews 13: 13-14 (MSG)
Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a poor, sleepy, backwater town in the Galilee area. Jesus was seen as someone living and dying outside the camp and outside the gate. But today He lives in the ‘hood and the gated community! Since He resides in us, He lives wherever His children live.
Reading Hebrews 13, John Piper believes that this message resonates loudly and clearly: “Christians, move with Jesus toward need, not comfort!”
What if you are someone who does live in a privileged, gated community? Unless you get a specific call from Him to move, He most often will call us to stay put. Wherever we are, He is. And He wants us to assess the needs of our neighbors and be there for them. Their spiritual and emotional needs are just as compelling as the physical needs of others. They need someone to point them to God.
Jesus didn’t throw His Amex Black Card around or take up His privilege in any way, while on earth. The religious insider community of His day was not His home. Since the time His ministry started, He wandered Israel with His disciples. He relied on the generosity of others to give Him a home, a conversation, or a meal for the evening. And He was comfortable with that!
What kind of world are you an insider in and do you feel comfortable with? Is surfing the big waves, wherever they are, a big deal? Is farming your family’s land through the generations what drives you? Is it sports and the thrill of the team and winning? Is music the only thing that truly brings a smile to your face? Are your babies the thing that defines and delights your life? No matter what characterizes our home life, the Bible says this world is not our true or permanent home.
So, Jesus is home with us, to plant seeds on earth, to seek and to save those without a true home. And our ultimate home is with Him in heaven!
What does the Bible say heaven will be like?
We will be in His presence (Revelation 21:3).
It will be a place without tears, death or pain (Revelation 21:4).
It will be filled with angels and Christians (Hebrews 12:22-24).
We will now have a transformed, eternal body (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
Serving will be an eternal blessing (Revelation 22:3).
Our longing for permanence will be filled (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
We will find perfect rest (Revelation 14:13).
What might you do to keep your eyes peeled for that Home to come?
How might thinking differently about your own comfort and insider life motivate you to meet the needs of outsiders?
Lord of Heaven, Your home is my home. I want my earthly home to point others to our heavenly home. Show me how. Show me when. Amen.
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