The Divine Homecoming: from Alienation to Adopted Kin

The grand narrative of God's interaction with humanity is a journey from scattering to gathering, a powerful testament to His unwavering love. From the earliest moments of human rebellion, sin has driven us apart from our Creator and from one another, creating a profound state of spiritual dispersion. Yet, through divine initiative, God consistently works to retrieve, unify, and restore what was lost.

Consider the ancient echoes of gratitude from a time when God’s people were dispersed across the globe, lost and without direction. They experienced spiritual homelessness, moral sickness, bondage to darkness, and the overwhelming chaos of a world beyond their control. This condition of being "far off" was not merely a physical distance, but a deep spiritual alienation – a state of being without true belonging, purpose, or hope. This is the universal human condition apart from God, a poignant depiction of a soul wandering in a spiritual wilderness, imprisoned by its own choices and the powers of darkness, sickened by self-inflicted wounds, and buffeted by life's relentless storms.

Yet, into this profound alienation, God's steadfast love and rich mercy intervened. Like a Kinsman-Redeemer, He reached out to rescue those who were enslaved and adrift. The ancient call to thank God for His "wondrous works" of gathering from every compass point – east, west, north, and south – foreshadowed an even greater, more expansive reunion. This was not merely a physical return to a land, but a spiritual drawing near, a definitive end to exile.

In the fullness of time, this prophetic hope was realized through Christ. For those who were once "far off"—estranged from God, without Messiah, outside of His covenant community, devoid of hope, and living as spiritual atheists in the world—a radical transformation occurred. The phrase "but now" marks this pivotal turn in history, signaling that God’s initiative answered our unspoken cry. We are brought "near," not by our own efforts or religious adherence, but by the precious blood of Christ. His sacrifice broke down every barrier, dissolved every hostility, and paid the ultimate ransom for our souls, pulling us from the chaos and death of our former existence into His vibrant presence.

This divine act of gathering culminates in a breathtaking new reality: the creation of a unified, spiritual family. We are no longer strangers or aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people, members of His own household, and living stones being built into a holy temple where God Himself dwells by His Spirit. We are granted intimate access to the Father, a privilege once reserved for a select few.

The "wondrous works" of God, once manifested in historical interventions, find their ultimate expression in us. We, the Church, are God's masterpiece, His "workmanship," created anew in Christ for good works. Our very existence as a community of diverse individuals, once scattered and at enmity, now united in love and purpose, is the living testimony to God's manifold wisdom displayed for all creation, even to the spiritual powers.

Therefore, let us, the redeemed, continually "say so!" Our lives, marked by profound gratitude, become a perpetual anthem of praise. To forget our former state of being "far off" is to diminish the immense grace that brought us near. The spiritual homelessness that once plagued us has been replaced by eternal dwelling in the household of God. The longing soul finds its true satisfaction in Christ, who is our peace and our sustenance. The Church, in its unity and mission, embodies this divine homecoming, functioning as the city of refuge and the family of God for all who are gathered by His love. May our lives reflect this glorious truth, continually giving thanks for the indescribable gift of being brought near by His blood.