For all intents and purposes after He began His ministry, Jesus was homeless. He admitted the same (see our text), and although he had places to stay with others (Mary, Martha and Lazarus; Peter, etc.), He did not own or rent a dwelling which He could call home. He was an itinerant rabbi, a traveling preacher.
Jesus was homeless in another sense as well. Paul writes how Jesus left heaven, becoming a bond-servant, taking on “the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-8). In doing this, He emptied Himself by giving up privileges and humbled Himself to endure death on a cross. While on the earth, Jesus was separated from His home in heaven and away from the presence of His Father. Toward the end of His time on earth, He spoke often of His “coming” to His Father (John 17:11-13, et al). Jesus was looking forward to going home.
What would cause a person to leave the environs of a heavenly home? What would cause someone to leave a place with perfect love, harmony, and fellowship? What would cause an individual to leave a world of glory to go to a very different world filled with darkness and evil? What would cause someone to leave a home of peace and safety for one filled with trouble and suffering?
The answer to these perplexing questions lies in the words of the Son of Man Himself. “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:49-50). Jesus left heaven for a reason, and it wasn’t a weekend tour bus trip or simply a vacation to visit a foreign country. He was sent on a mission - a mission to overthrow evil, save the human race and provide for the reconciliation of all things to God. It was about good versus evil, right versus wrong, truth versus the lie, obedience versus rebellion.
Immediately after accomplishing His task, Jesus was ready to return to His Father. In the garden, He tells Mary: “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father ... I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God” (John 20:17).
Is there any lesson in all this for us?
><> Jeff
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