When Jesus is at Home

Posted On February 13, 2024

Matthew 9:1-8

(A homily delivered at St. Stephen July 24, 2022. )

When we were at Columbia Seminary (56 years ago), an old, elaborate pulpit stood in the chapel. At some time, each student was called upon to preach behind it. On the back of that pulpit, only for the preacher to see, was attached a metal plate. The words engraved thereon were from John 12:20, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus”. My prayer for us this morning is just that, that we would see Jesus.

Our message today is quite simple, and yet so very profound: “When Jesus is at home, many good things can happen”.

From Matthew 9:1, “So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city”.

There must have been excitement in the air that day. Murmurs and shouts could be heard throughout the village, “Jesus is at home! Jesus is at home!”

He had been away in Gadara (8 miles across the Sea of Galilee, 14 miles around by land) where He had cast many demons out of a deranged man, into a herd of pigs, and off into the sea. Now, with the news of His return, it may have taken only minutes for the crowd to gather at His house – filling the inside and surrounding the outside. The people hungered for His teaching and yearned for His miraculous ministry.

From here, please be reminded of four places where we note that Jesus is at home:

Jesus at Home in Capernaum

• The Gospel writers indicate that Jesus made His home in Capernaum just after John the Forerunner was arrested and imprisoned.
• In that day, Capernaum (village of comfort) was a village of about 1500 inhabitants, located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was primarily noted for fishing and trade, being on the major trade route between Damascus, Syria and Egypt.
• It was here that Jesus began His public ministry and chose His first disciples. He performed more miracles and delivered more teachings in and around Capernaum than any other place in His ministry.
• Here, He – healed the Roman centurion’s servant, Jairus’ daughter, the woman with the issue of blood, Peter’s mother-in-law, and the paralytic let down through the roof.
• In the synagogue, He gave the sermon on the “bread of Life” (John 6). Nearby, He delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and later fed the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.
• Even though Jesus was later rejected in this village, He had come to dwell there, to bring comfort where it was sorely needed.
• All in all, when Jesus was at home in Capernaum, many good things happened!

But, with your patience, let’s extend this simple thought further.

Jesus at Home in Christian Hearts

• As He continued His ministry, our Lord began to speak about making His home in another place to bring comfort – the hearts and souls of those who believed in Him as king and God.
• This began, of course, when He was sent by the Father to save us. St. John wrote, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt (eskanowsen, tabernacled, pitched His tent) among us” (John1:14). In the waning days of His life here, Jesus comforted His disciples saying, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:2, 3).
• Certainly, His disciples and apostles caught that message. St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Later, to the church in Colosse, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), What a wonder! Human beings – you and I – have been so created that we could be dwelling places, temples, homes for God Himself.
• Many here may remember that hymn sung so joyously at Easter, “He lives! He lives! …. You ask me how I know He lives; He lives within my heart”!
• When Jesus is at home in the hearts of Christians, many good things can happen!

Jesus at Home in the Church

• My time does not permit us to fully explore the many good things that can happen when Jesus is at home in the Church. You all are fully aware of that.
• Our Lord summarized it simply, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
• The gathering together of believers in love, sanctified by the sacraments, perfected by His presence, glorified by His grace, all clearly proclaim the truth that when Jesus is at home in the Church, many good things can happen!

Jesus was at home in Capernaum; Jesus is at home in the hearts of Christians; Jesus is at home in His Church, but Jesus also has another home.

Jesus at Home in Heaven

• From all eternity past, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit enjoyed a perfect union in unspeakable love – a family of three in a fellowship beyond our comprehension. Then, at some time, the vast company of holy angels was assembled about Them. Still later, “the saints of earth were gathered over on that other shore”. There was their home.
• There is no darkness there; all is light. The angels constantly cry, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 4:9).
• There are never-ending praises being sung everywhere: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11).
• That is where Jesus called home for ages upon ages. Following His 33- year sojourn on earth, He ascended to Heaven; He returned to His home. When He departed, He left a promise: “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).
• For those of us who have more years behind us than remaining before us, that is so very comforting. Some years ago, we attended the funeral service for Dn. Ray’s grandfather, Tom Brown. The pastor spoke of Tom’s close walk with the Lord throughout his life and he expressed it this way: “As they walked together, Jesus said, “Tom, we’re closer to My house than to yours. Why don’t you just go home with Me.””

When Jesus returned to His home in Heaven, more good things began to happen.  

Please allow me to present some further thoughts on the good things that are, and will, happen now that Jesus has returned to Heaven…

• Preparing a place for His people – “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
• Praying for His people – “Christ is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).
• Present His people to Himself – “Christ loved the Church…that He might present it to Himself a glorious church … that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Note: Here, the word “present” is parhistami – stand beside, stay with, abide with, proud of.

In ancient Israel, a bride would be dressed/ adorned and escorted by her friends to the bridegroom. He, then, would escort her to the marriage ceremony and the feast which followed, where he presented her, stood with her, gave her the honor. This is my bride!

Reflecting on that beautiful tradition, and beholding the radiance of that love, we are reminded of a beautiful scene which is yet to come but is burning in our hearts, “ Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:2-4).

So, in review and summary, I submit to you again – When Jesus is at home, many good things can happen!

• He was at home in Capernaum,
• He is at home in the hearts of Christians,
• He is at home in His Church,
• He is at home in His Heavenly Kingdom.

May we also live our lives to be at home with Him and praise Him for all the good things that will happen.

Fr. Andrew