After Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to avoid death under the reign of Herod, he took them back “home” to Israel. They say that home is where the heart is. Israel really was home for Joseph and Mary. It was their home because that is where they were born and raised. Their hearts were in the land of Israel because it was their home.
For Jesus, though, we may need to look at things a little bit differently. As God incarnate, we would be right in saying that Jesus’ home was in heaven. But He was not in heaven. Whether He was in Isreal or in Egypt, Jesus was on earth. In contrast with Joseph and Mary whose hearts were tied to their home, Jesus’ home was tied to His heart. “For God so loved the world…” Jesus made His home on earth for a while because His heart was with us. When He had completed the work of salvation, He returned to His eternal home.
We are on a journey to the foot of the cross to become more Christian–more Christ-like. If we would be more like Him, then our hearts must be tuned to His. We must love the world in the same way that God loves the world–enough to save it. Like Jesus, though, ultimately our hearts and our home must be set on heaven.
The hymn O Thou Who Camest From Above by Charles Wesley contains a sense of our home here on earth, and our home in heaven.
There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return,
in humble prayer and fervent praise.
As you continue your journey, enjoy your home on earth. God loves us here. But let your heart be on heaven and look forward to your eternal home. God loves us there, too.
Follow the Path!
CARadke
[Use with Safe Return, day 37 of A Labyrinth Pilgrimage]