April 2, 2025

SEEKING A HOMELAND

Hebrews 11:13-16

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Personal Challenge

As followers of Christ, we have the ancient fathers that have shown us how to live our lives, lives of hope. The patriarchs, those in the Old Testament, lived their lives in hope of the future kingdom, the holy land that God had promised to them. The true believers of that time were those who believed that promised land would be the eternal kingdom ushered in by the Messiah and not some physical land on this earth. The apostles walked with Jesus and heard His teachings on His kingdom that He ushered in and taught us to live our lives in His Kingdom here on earth as we hoped for the heavenly kingdom to come. The early church fathers of the New Testament era, the time that we live in now, and the martyrs over the last 2,000 years, have continued to point us to the kingdom of heaven that is amongst us and will come to fruition at the end of ages. Our God never expected us to long for an earthly kingdom. Glory be to God!