Jesus Was Not Homeless, Part Three By Larry Huggins

A PALACE FIT FOR A KING

We have more than enough evidence to build an airtight case proving Jesus was a homeowner:

And when he was alone [at home], they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. (Mark 4:10)

The mistranslated word, alone, is the Greek word, mone (mo-nay’); which means a mansion! You’ve seen it translated right, in a well-known verse:

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. (John 14:2)

Do you see why alone is an absurd translation? If that’s the correct usage, then John 14:2 would become, In my father’s home are many alone! (Is He preparing a place so we can be alone, too?)

I don’t call that a translation. It’s a commentary by people who refuse to accept the fact that Jesus was a wealthy homeowner. Perhaps they are the victims of religious tradition, or perhaps there’s something sinister at work?

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia definition puts Jesus in a palace: The ideas conveyed are those of an abundance of room. Keep that in mind. Some sources say, Rooms that have different purposes.

Tell me, why have self-appointed guardians of the faith masked the truth? Why couldn’t they put the King of Kings in His palace? All these years, they’ve kept Jesus locked in a carpenter’s shed.

How would our convictions change if we shifted the paradigm? What if we began to see Jesus as his contemporaries saw Him, not as a poor carpenter, but as the Heir to the Throne and the Promised King of Israel? This viewpoint neither diminishes Jesus’ piety, nor His humility. It reaffirms His royalty!

JESUS HELD COURT IN HIS MANSION

The message of the cross becomes more precious as we realize what the King of Kings gave up for our redemption:

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,

that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Cor 8:9)

Here are examples of His substitutionary sacrifice: He became sin that we might become righteous. He took our diseases that we might have health. He was forsaken by the Father that we might be accepted by the Father. He gave up his earthly kingdom that we might rule and reign in life. He became poor that we might be rich. He gave up his mansion that we might receive ample houses and lands.

THE BIG PICTURE

Think back to Mark, chapter four, and focus on the big picture. Remember, we saw Jesus holding court in His mansion with his twelve disciples and many others. The keyword is, many. You can’t fit a crowd into a tiny home.

Visualize a house large enough to accommodate the hundreds of people seeking audience with the Royal Son of David, whom they assumed would soon be coronated King of Israel, and usher in a kingdom that would surpass Solomon’s kingdom in glory.

Speaking of Solomon, Was he a poor king? Did he live in a palace? Was Jesus’ lifestyle inferior to Solomon’s lifestyle?

Jesus answered that in Luke 11:31, Greater — in quantity, quality, superiority, excellence — than Solomon is here.

Knowing what you now know, what kind of house do you visualize Jesus living in? If you visualize a palace, you have an accurate picture. The King-in-waiting would require an appropriate residence – a place where He could conduct Kingdom business, right?

Understanding what Jesus gave up for us changes our expectations. Jesus didn’t give up a cottage or a hovel. If he merely gave up a cottage, then we shouldn’t expect to have more than He had. However, if He, indeed, gave up His royal palace for us, then we have solid scriptural footing to claim ample houses and lands.

Question: Why do people criticize Christians who live well, but they celebrate the lavish lifestyles of professional athletes and movie stars?   

This blog is one of a series of excerpts of my manuscript called Codex Rex — The Book of the King. Your comments and questions will help me improve the manuscript before publication.

Larry Huggins is a father, a husband, a pastor and a missionary, an author, and a broadcaster. He has traveled to scores of nations, planting churches and bible schools, and conducting seminars and evangelistic crusades.