The Homecoming of God, Part 2
Scripture — Isaiah 60:4-5 (NRSV)
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
Focus
As we come upon the holiday-filled time of year, many of us will experience homecomings. These might be wonderful. Or they might be painful. But no matter what your homecomings will be like, let them be an occasion to remember that your true home is in Jesus. He alone can provide a place of ultimate acceptance, safety, celebration, and love.
Devotion
Last Wednesday I began reflecting on Isaiah 60:4-5 and its portrayal of what I called “The Homecoming of God.” Today I’d like to reflect a bit more on this passage from Isaiah.
For Israel, the homecoming of Jews who had been exiled throughout the world was a sign that God’s kingdom had dawned. The people yearned for the great homecoming of the future. In that time, their “heart shall thrill and rejoice” (60:5).
For many of us, our literal homecomings can be wonderful. I imagine you’ve had an experience of a joyful homecoming, whether you were the one returning or you were welcoming those who had come home. But at times, homecomings can be fraught with difficulty and pain, as I noted in last Wednesday’s devotion. When we gather with our families for the holidays, for example, we sometimes realize how much we aren’t really “at home,” how much we ache for an acceptance we’ll never know with our natural relatives, how desperately we yearn for a real home in which we can feel fully at peace.
This yearning can point us to our heart’s true home. Ultimate acceptance, safety, and peace come when we make our home in Christ. In John 15 Jesus said, “Abide in me as I abide in you” (15:4). The verb translated as “abide” (menō) means “to remain” or “to make our home in.” It’s related to one Greek word for “home” (monē) just as “abide” is related to “abode.” Jesus invites us to make our home in him. When we come home to Jesus, we’ll experience safety and acceptance. In this context, we’ll be empowered to live fruitful lives.
This devotion will be published on October 21, a few weeks before some of the major holiday-related homecomings of the year (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year; last week was Thanksgiving for our Canadian readers.) As you look ahead to what’s coming during the holidays, I expect you’re envisioning a homecoming or two, maybe more. While it’s certainly appropriate to enjoy being home or welcoming others to your home, let me encourage you to seek a deeper experience of homecoming, that is, of truly being in a place of acceptance and safety. Let that yearning lead you to Christ. In him, and in him alone, you’ll find the home that sustains, protects, and empowers.
Reflect
Have you ever felt at home in Christ? When?
When you think of making your home in Christ, what comes to mind?
What helps you to feel at home in Christ?
Act
If you will be a host for the homecoming of others in the coming holidays, consider how you might offer a Christ-like welcome to those who come to your home.
Pray
Gracious God, thank you for the invitation to make my home in you. Thank you for reaching out to me, helping me to receive the good news in faith so that I might be truly at home in you.
Lord, there is no better “home” than you. I know this, but often forget it. Forgive me when I try to replace you with other “homes,” those that ultimately disappoint. Only when I am fully at home in you am I able to enjoy and contribute to the other “homes” of my life.
I pray today for those who are about to experience difficult homecomings. May they sense your presence in the midst of their confusion and pain. Bring healing to families, friendships, and wounded hearts. Let those who ache for home turn to you, so that they might find the safety and love that you alone can provide.
In the name of Jesus, my heart’s true home, Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: I am the Vine and You are the Branches (John 15).
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...