Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 
Matthew 26:27-28

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 
Luke 22:19-20

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We finally sold the house; my mom had passed away, and my dad would have enough money to pay for his independent/assisted living situation. A few months later, I started visiting my old home and wept every visit. The new owners were lovely but had immediately built a fence, so I couldn’t view the backyard or visualize our climbing trees.  

In 1940, Thomas Wilde wrote a book, and this expression was coined: “You can’t go back home again.” Today, I can’t look at my old house without seeing my parents waving goodbye to our family by the front stairs.

In my mind’s eye, I see myself lying at my bedroom window, sweating in the summer, gazing at the cross on my neighbor’s roof (it was actually an antenna). At the time, I considered it my rooftop cross. Yes, I agree with Wilde; it is difficult to go home again, but you can remember how you felt and thought while you lived there. 

In our passage today, Jesus is having communion with the disciples. He wants them to remember, after he is gone, the home they had in him—their relationship. 

At the Passover meal, they recounted the history of Israel, and Jesus again told his disciples of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), which his death and resurrection will fulfill. Jesus would soon be leaving them, and the funny thing is, all of them were still putting together the puzzle, trying to understand the crucifixion and resurrection as Jesus spoke communion over them. 

So, would the disciples ever return to their home in Christ again? The answer is yes, a resounding yes! 

From moment to moment, disciples, both then and now, can go home to Jesus. He left us with the Holy Spirit, and because we decided to be Christ-followers, he is with us always, even “until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Yes, I still cry when I visit the house of my childhood because I remember how I felt when I trusted Jesus as my Savior and Lord. And I remember his forgiveness when I asked for it while praying on sweltering nights, staring at my rooftop cross. Jesus is our refuge and our strength. 

Next Steps

• Try meditating on the words of Psalm 91.
• Take time to retrace your timeline to get a glimpse of how God has moved in your history, express your gratitude to him
• Consider listening to HOME.