The Church On Earth Is Christ's House: "Who has left his house" (v34.). This parable represents the church on earth as Christ's home or dwelling.
Because He is the foundation stone of it. Just as every stone of a building rests on the foundation, so does every believer rest on Christ. He is the foundation rock upon which we rest. If it were not for the foundation, the whole house would fall into ruins - the floods and winds would sweep it away. If it were not for Christ, all believers would be swept away by God's anger; but they were rooted and built up in Him, and so they form His house.
Because He is the Builder.
Every stone of the building has been placed here by the hands of Christ - Christ has taken every stone from the quarry. Look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and the hold of the pit whence were digged. A natural person is embedded in the world just as firmly as a rock in quarry. The hands of the almighty Saviour alone can dig out the soul, and loosen it from its natural state.
Christ has carried it, and laid it on the foundation. Even when a stone has been quarried, it cannot lift itself; it needs to be carried, and built upon the foundation. So when a natural soul has been awakened, he cannot build himself on Christ; he must be carried on the shoulder of the great master builder. Every stone of the building! Well may it be called Christ's house, when He builds every stone of it. See that ye be quarried out by Christ; see to it, that ye be carried by Him - built upon Him; then you will be an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Because His Friends are in it. Wherever a mans friends are, that is his home - wherever a man's mother and sister and brother dwell, that is his home; this, then, must be Christ's home, for He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said: "Behold my mother and my brethren; for whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister and mother." As long as this world has a believer in it, Christ will look upon it as His house. He cannot forget, even in glory, the well of Samaria - the garden of Gethsemane - the hill of Calvary. Happy for you who know Christ, and who do the will of His Father; wherever you dwell, call Christ calls it His house. You may dwell in a poor place, and still be happy; for Christ dwells with you, and calls it His dwelling - He calls you "My brother, sister, mother."
Christ is like a man who has gone a far journey (v34). Although the church on earth be His house, and although He has such affection for it, yet Christ is not here, He is risen - Christ is risen indeed.
He has gone to take possession of heaven on our name. When an elder brother of a family purchases a property for himself and his brothers, he goes a far journey, in order to take possession. So Christ is an elder brother. He lived and died in order to purchase forgiveness and acceptance for sinners. He has gone into heaven to take possession for us. Do you take Christ for your surety? Then you are already possessed of heaven.
Question: How am I possessed of heaven, when I have never been there?
Answer: Christ your surety has taken possession in your name. If you realize this, it will give you fulness of joy. A person may possess a property which he has never seen.
Look at your surety in the land that is very far off, call it His own, for the sake of His younger brethren: "These things I have spoken unto you, that your joy maybe full."
He has gone to intercede for us.
He has gone to intercede for unawakened, barren sinners: "Lord, let it alone this year also." Oh, sinner! why is it that you have not died a sudden death? Why have you not gone quite down into the pit? How often the Saviour has prayed for some of you! Shall it be in vain?
