Our True Home

When our boys were eight and ten years old we decided to take a long road trip to Yellowstone National Park, taking our time to visit anything we saw along the way that caught our attention. It was an amazing trip, filled with so many pleasant memories, but I remember our younger son leaping from the car as soon as it stopped when we returned home. He jumped out, fell to the ground and started kissing the earth. He was so glad to be home.

We all probably have similar feelings about our homes: glad to be home after a vacation, a day at work, after a few hours of shopping or battling traffic. Home is our sanctuary, a beginning and ending, an inner compass.

Psalm 90 tells us, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (v1) God is home for us, watching over us and providing. God is our one true home, no matter where we are.

So we can probably understand why Phillip and Thomas seem out of their depth when they begin to question Jesus in John 14 about where he is going. The disciples have been dependent on the guiding presence of Jesus. Now they are extremely worried. What will they do without him?

We always have a little advantage when we read scripture because we hear the words that Jesus speaks with our faith firmly planted in the resurrection. Yet we can also understand how the disciples are confused by Jesus’ words, and many passages that we read show their doubt and misunderstanding. We have at least a small grasp on understanding that the way home is all about relationship with our savior. Jesus will prepare our place, wherever that might be, whenever we need it, because he loves us so very much. He speaks to us through the scriptures of the connections we share and the difference that makes in our lives.

The words in John 14:1-7 are often read at funeral services. They are words of assurance that the one who dies in Christ will take up residence in their Heavenly home. Jesus says he has prepared a place for each of us, and that place is our relationship with Jesus and with God, the Father.

We know as Christians that we will not have a worry-free, stress-free, fear-free life. But Jesus says, “Let not your heart be troubled.” He wants us to know that the only thing that should trouble us is separation from him.

Jesus says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” There is a wonderful sense of community. These dwelling places reveal to us changes of our hearts. It is an on-going thing. In one sense it has already been done for us. Yet it remains a future hope as well. Our journey with Jesus is constantly affirmed. Life with him is not a destination. It is not an accomplishment or some kind of victory won. Life with Jesus is a way of becoming and being.

Because of our belief in Jesus, we have been built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. We have a cornerstone who is Christ the Lord.

When Jesus says, “I am going to the Father,” we know that his disciples will not sever the ties between Jesus and them because he prepares a dwelling place and abides within them. Jesus has established that same relationship with us; a relationship based on trust and love. It’s the same kind of relationship Jesus has with his Father. Jesus himself is a gift from the very heart of God. His teachings guide us, sustain us, and challenge us. We will continue through our lives asking questions – questions like am I on the right track? How should I see God? And Jesus will give us that profound answer: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Jesus is saying to his disciples then and to us now: “Come on, you know this. I taught you this. Hold on to the promise. In me, you see God. In me, you meet and will meet God. My teachings will guide your feet. They will sustain your spirit. Your life will take twists and turns but remember: I am the way.”

We were not formed to do anything on our own. We were meant to do it through our relationship with Jesus. Our lives move to the rhythm of God’s heart. In Jesus we find what we need to move forward and to move beyond.

Jesus is the miracle of God with us. God came to earth to take on human form and prepare a way for us to be truly reunited with our Heavenly Father. He presence remains with us and we do not have to do anything alone. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Christ is the true way home. Christ is our true home.

Editor’s Note: Last week’s faith column was attributed to Linda Weko. The column titled “Water Walking” was written by Pastor Lee Seese. The Herald apologizes for this error.