Everyone loves to stay in a beautiful house, but even more in a beautiful home. There is a difference between house and home – the former refers to a physical building where someone lives whereas the latter is more than just a physical building: home can be a place (or an atmosphere) where someone feels belonged to and lives most comfortably. It is a place of ultimate joy and satisfaction that we share with our beloved ones. One can live in a clean good-looking house without feeling at home. But, to be honest, we all long for a nice, clean, big, and permanent place to live called home.

When we are looking to buy or rent a place, we would preferably find the good one. We might not prefer to buy or rent a dirty and ugly house, even if it is quite affordable. There is an excitement when we are moving into a new house. Even before moving in, we may already think of some friends and family whom we would like to invite. We may also feel uplifted just by thinking of how we would decorate and furnish the house. In short, the joy of living in a new and beautiful house is an indicator of our deepest longing for a future glorious home. Deep down in our hearts, we long for a home that is always filled with love, peace, happiness, where things are imperishable and treasures can’t be destroyed or stolen (Matthew 6:20).

Ascension Day reminds us the promise of Jesus Christ to prepare heavenly places for those who believe in Him:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

(John 14:1-4, NKJV)

Isn’t it interesting to see that Jesus has already addressed the deepest desire of human’s hearts since thousand years ago? From the beginning He said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.” The only way for us to be relieved from fears and worries is by trusting Him. And then He mentioned about His Father’s house that has many mansions. What is the connection between our heart’s troubles with His promise of a Father’s house? We may be wondering why the solution or answer to our problems is faith in Him and His promise of a heavenly home – and even more, He prepares a place for us and wants us to spend eternity with Him. I believe the answer is because He knows our greatest need of salvation. The real life begins in eternity; that’s why we should think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth (Colossians 3:2). What an amazing God’s plan for us!

Now as Jesus invites us to believe that He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), shall we trust in and entrust our lives to Him? Jesus does not just show us the way to the Father but He himself is the way. Jesus does not just reveal the truth about the Father but He himself is the truth. Jesus does not just give us the everlasting life but He himself is the life. Finally, another important question to ponder is: are we longing for the heaven or the One who is in it? Do we want the place or the Person? What is the true reason of our faith: heavenly home or heavenly Father?

Vancouver, May 10, 2018

P.S. I have also shared five reasons Jesus has ascended to heaven and the article can be read here.