Strangers and exiles on the earth

Hebrews 11:14-15. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. What is it that the men and women of faith say? They say they are strangers and exiles on the earth according to vs. 13. Anyone who calls himself a foreigner makes it clear that he is from somewhere else. If you meet a foreigner, you might ask where he’s from. You ask because if he isn’t from your country, then you know he’s from somewhere else. The author distinguished a foreigner from an exile. If he were only a foreigner, then he would still be thinking of his country and would be looking for an opportunity to return to it. But if he says he is a foreigner and an exile, then it is clear he’s not seeking to return to his home country. An exile has been forced out of the country from which they came, so there’s no use in thinking of that country. There’s no going back. These men and women of faith consider themselves foreigners and exiles from the earth. Jesus told His disciples that this present world would cast them out, force them into exile. So it was with the Hebrews to whom this letter was written. Being a stranger and exile with no place to call home was relevant to his readers. According to Galatians 1:4, Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” Like an exile who has given up all in his home country, those who say these things have given up all on the earth. Their minds aren’t set on the things of the earth, which is my working definition of unbelief. Unbelief looks at things as they are on the earth, but faith sets the mind on things above, as Paul wrote in Colossians 3. “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” That’s exactly what those who say they are strangers and exiles do, and we’ll talk more about that tomorrow. Those who are living to love with Jesus have left behind all hope of finding life and happiness on the earth. Jesus’ call to discipleship was to deny self and lose one’s life in this world to follow Him. He spoke the truth to the Jews who wanted to kill Him when He told them, “He who loves his life [meaning on the earth] loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” (John 12:25). Are you one of those who say they are foreigners and exiles on the earth? Do you think the earth is your country, your home? If so, you’ll find yourself looking for opportunities to return to it, to live in it, to be at home in it. I warn you in love, you are walking in unbelief rather than faith. Would you consider these men and women of faith to be strange? God is calling you to die to this world and look to Jesus for life and the grace to love with Him. If you hear His voice, don’t harden your heart, but draw near to God through Jesus Christ to experience His life and love. He’ll change everything.