Strangers and foreigners on earth

Heb. 11:13

Hebrews 11 recalls the lives of Abel, Abraham, Moses and many others who had lived their lives by faith. These heroes knew about the promise and hoped for it. But they did not see it. They passed through many difficulties but did not receive what was promised (11:39). Though they did receive it, they greeted it from a distance (11:13). They also knew that they were just sojourners and foreigners.

The meaning is this: though they live on earth, they saw something better and suffered for it and moved forward. This thing that they saw and believed showed them that they were mere strangers on earth and that something better awaited them, for, this is so much better than anything else. As such, while they lived on earth, they “suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute persecuted, tormented” (11:36-37).

For them, the world was not worthy (11:38). They desired a better country – in heaven (11:16).

Today, let us remember that we are also sojourners and foreigners on earth. Many of us have thought that this is our permanent home and toil and labour to gather riches and wealth. Pastor Thangngur stated it so well, “Those who saw and receive it do not have it forever.” Indeed, no one will live forever. Our lives are just like the clouds that come and disappear. Even then, we keep on forgetting about the better country.

Amidst all the pandemonium and the search for wealth, riches and power, let us look ahead and vie for our home, our real home in heaven where we will be with our saviour Jesus Christ.