Longing for my Father's Home

I love going to my father’s home. As I turn down the long drive to his log cabin out in the country, it’s like my heart sighs with contentment. His home is a place of rest and comfort for me. Jesus loved His Father’s house too. Can you imagine the longing He must have felt to be in His Father’s home while He lived as the sinless One in a world of sin? Oh, how He must have anticipated that day when He would go to His Father’s house once again! All of God’s children long for their Father’s home in heaven in just the way that Jesus did. Today, am I longing for my heavenly Father’s home the way Jesus did?

When Jesus was a boy, He sought out the closest place on earth to His Father’s heavenly abode, so He went to the temple. Do you remember His words to His parents from Luke 2:49? “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” Though He lived well on earth, He didn’t live easily here. That’s why He sought out the places and people who would remind Him of His Father and His Father’s home. Isn’t that the way it is for all who call God as Father? We long for Him and enjoy the people and things that He loves.

Jesus also wanted to share the comfort and joys of His Father’s house with His friends. Jesus knew that there would be more than enough room for all His friends. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for 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, there you may be also.” What are some ways I can remind my friends about the joy and rest waiting for us in our Father’s house in heaven?

And yet, as much as I love his home, I love my father more. It’s always a joy to spend time with him and hear his thoughts or simply enjoy being near him. And because he lives in Idaho while I live in Kentucky, then it takes intentionality, purposefulness, and preparation to see each other in person. John reflected on this when he reminded his readers that eternal life with God is characterized by fellowship with Him, by drawing near to the Lord. In 1 John 1:3, John wrote, “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Do I love spending time with my Father even more than enjoying His many gifts to me? Do I carefully plan to spend time with Him?

Hebrews 10:19–22: Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.