When Jesus walked this earth, you could technically say He was homeless. Jesus said, “Birds have nests, and foxes have holes, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” But in Heaven, He had the greatest of all homes. In John 14, Jesus said, “ In my Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may be also.” A better translation would be, “In my father’s house are many rooms.” The word “mansions” suggests something big like an estate, but “rooms” suggests coziness.
Practical Principles
- Jesus left his home in Heaven so you can have a home in Heaven. God sent His Son from the glory of Heaven to be born in the most unsanitary conditions imaginable. What an amazing sacrifice it was, leaving His heavenly home so we could have a heavenly home.
- Jesus left His home in Heaven to make a home in our heart. Some would say that statement is not biblical—that it’s not correct to say that someone should ask Christ into their life. Well, actually, I would beg to differ. The Bible actually does teach that Christ comes and lives in the human heart. See Colossians 1:27, 3:17, and John 1:12.
- When Jesus is at home in your heart, you will be at home in the church. In the Bible, the words home and church and/or temple or synagogue or gathering are often interchangeable. David said, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” in Psalm 23. The church is the house of the Lord. It is home for the follower of Jesus Christ, and in it you’re surrounded by the family of God.
Relevant Reminders
- Sometimes we’re reluctant to let Christ be at home in our lives because we’re afraid God is going to mess everything up and ruin it. No. He’s going to make it better.
- Jesus does not merely want to be a guest in your home. He wants to be the owner of your home.
- The scripture tells us that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Something supernatural happens when we gather together in His name, worship together, feast on the Word of God, and pray together.
Applicable Actions
Jesus was born so we could be born again. We talk a lot about that manger and what happened there, and so we should, but let’s not forget why. Why did Jesus come from Heaven to earth? So you could have a relationship with Him, and He could take residence in your heart.
