“HOME” is as sweet a word as exists in the English language. Our feelings are stirred with the thoughts of home, and, being at home, we are at rest. “There is no place like home,” is a good old sentiment, which all who value the best side of life most heartily rejoice in. But home is not merely a locality hallowed by pleasant memories and well-loved associations, it is the place where our most dearly loved dwell.
The love of home is strongly marked in the feelings which are expressed in the songs of Israel, the Psalms having in them many beautiful passages of delight in the heritage and in the fatherland. Israel’s true home-joy consisted in the Lord Himself. God made His dwelling on earth in Israel, and, so Jong as He was recognized and obeyed, both the land and the individual heritage prospered— peace prevailed, the enemy approached not Israel’s coasts; corn and wine, milk and honey, were in abundance, and the sons of Israel dwelt in comfort, “each under his own vine, and under his own fig tree,” which latter expression seems almost to correspond with our English word “home.”
When the Lord Jesus came to this earth there was no home for Him; He was from the first a stranger here. But the very gospel which most quickly records this sad fact is that one which most quickly shows us Jesus Himself making, by His own love and grace, a home in His presence for those who love Him. “Where dwellest Thou?” inquired Andrew and the other disciple of John, and Jesus said, “Come and see.” “So they came and saw where He dwelt, and abode with Him that day.”
The next day Jesus found Philip, and bade him follow Him, and thus he also became a disciple of the Lord.
Now Philip, having become a follower of Jesus, partook of His spirit, and sought for his friend, to bring him to the Lord. He found Nathanael. Nathanael was sitting at home, under the fig tree, when Philip came to him. He was a devout man, and by Philip’s mode of address, we may be sure he was one who studied the Scriptures. Indeed, we know that engaging in daily prayer and under the shady tree was approved by the Talmud. We may almost imagine Nathanael lifting up His eyes from the roll of the sacred writings he was reading, as he listened to Philip’s eager words, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and in the prophets did write.” Sure we are that as the pages of the sacred book are devoutly read Jesus is revealed by God to the reader. Yet Nathanael was not ready in one moment to accept Philip’s statement. “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” said he, for he had his doubts and difficulties. “Come and see,” replied Philip, and most charming answer it was, the echo of the Lord’s own “Come and see” of the preceding day; and as Philip led Nathanael to Jesus, with what burning words and eager steps he must have pursued his way.
Nathanael was an honest man, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile,” were Jesus’ words of greeting to him! Oh! That a like guileless spirit might be found in each of us! “When thou wast under the fig tree I saw thee,” said the Lord to him. And Jesus observes our ways. He sees such as read the Scriptures alone at home! Does He see our young friends thus engaged? Possible having their doubts and their difficulties, but honest at heart! He will make Himself known to such, for He never fails those who are honest at heart, and faithfully search God’s word.
“Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel,” exclaimed Nathanael to the Lord, who told him of the coming day when this earth shall be home indeed, for Jesus shall be here in glory, and the angels of God shall ascend and descend upon the Son of Man.
Heaven is now the home of the children of God, because the Father and the Son are there, but our earthly homes are green spots indeed on earth when the Lord is recognized, honored and loved in them. There is a blessing in reading the Bible at home, in praying at home, in hearing of Jesus at home, and of having Christian friends come to us at home, who, like Philip, say to us of Jesus, “Come and see”; but better still will it be to hear Jesus say to us, “Come and see,” and to dwell with Him.
“I have a home above,
From sin and sorrow free;
A mansion which eternal love
Design’d and formed for me.
The Father’s gracious hand
Has built this blest abode;
From everlasting it was plann’d―
The dwelling-place of God.
The Comforter has come,
The earnest has been given;
He leads me onward to the home
Reserved for me in heaven.”