PILGRIMS!

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

PILGRIMS!

Heb 11:13-16

they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

           Wrapping up the list of heroes in Hebrews chapter 11 the writer concludes that there was ONE common characteristic of them all. They sought a better country!

           The word “pilgrim” is the Greek parepidemos which literally means “an alien alongside, i.e. a resident foreigner.” Their association with Christ had made them strangers in their homeland. They had become unwelcome and home had become uncomfortable. There is a hymn that helps to describe this feeling. It’s called “In the Sweet by-and-by.”

There’s a land that is fairer than day

And by faith we can see it afar.

For the Father waits over the way

To prepare us a dwelling place there!

Dear Lord, like the dove released by Noah who found no rest for the sole of her foot, we long for you and we long for home. AMEN