| The Best Things in Life |
Chapter 12 |
Page 5 |
Jesus told his disciples that he was going to his Father’s house. The words give us a beautiful revealing of heaven. Heaven is home. On this earth there is no place so sweet, so sacred, so heart satisfying, as a true home. It is a place of love – truest, gentlest, most unselfish love. It is a place of confidence. We are always sure of homes loved ones. We do not have to be on our guard when we enter our home doors. We do not have to wear veils there, hiding or disguising our real selves. Home is a refuge to which we flee from the danger, the enmity, the unkindness, the injustice of the world. Home is the place where hungry hearts feed on love’s bread. Mrs. Craik, in one of her books, has this fine picture:
“Oh, conceive the happiness to know some one person dearer to you than your own self, some one breast into which you can pour ever thought, every grief, every joy; one person, who, if all the rest of the world were to calumniate or forsake you, would never wrong you by a harsh thought or an unjust word; who would cling to you the closer in sickness, in poverty, in care; who would sacrifice all; from whom, except by death, night or day, you never can be divided; whose smile is ever at your hearth; who has no tears while you are well and happy, and your love the same.”
This is a glimpse of what a true home is. The picture is sometimes realized on the earth – there are homes here which are well nigh perfect. But it will be fully realized in heaven. No other description of heaven, given in the Bible, means so much to our hearts as that which our Master gives in these three words, “My Father’s house” – Home.
Jesus told his disciples further that he was going to prepare a place for them. He was going for their sakes. They thought they could not spare him, but he said he was going to continue his work on their behalf. Then he added, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you unto myself.” There was no accident, therefore, in the dying of Jesus. His going away was part of God’s plan and purpose for his life.
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