Luke 9:58
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
Was Jesus Homeless?
When Jesus said that He had no place to lay His head, did He mean He was homeless? Was there really no place for Him to stay? Jesus was responding to the person who had just told Him that he would follow Him wherever He would go (Luke 9:57). Jesus wanted this person to know that He had no place to stay. Others said they would follow Him, too; but they wanted to take care of some things first, which probably indicated that they weren’t really serious about following Him (Luke 9:59-61). So Jesus plainly tells them they can’t follow Him if they are wanting to take their hand backs from the plow (Luke 9:62). In other words, unless you are willing to leave all for Him, you’re really not ready to follow Him.
What Would You do?
We have our fair share of homeless men and women in the city in which we live; but if you came across one, what would you do? Would you offer him or her money? What if God is trying to humble them to break their pride and have them see their desperate need for God? What would you suppose they would spend it on? Would we really want to get in between the “rock” and the “hammer” where God is trying to work in their lives to humble them? What does it really profit them if you give them money? The Salvation Army helped many a homeless person by offering them soup, soap, and a place to lay their head at night; but the founder, General William Booth, said it must be soup, soap, and salvation or it’s not really helping them at all in the long run. Jesus offers the “bread of life” so that when they eat it, they’ll never hunger again and never thirst again (John 6:35), which satisfies for eternity, not only for a day.
An Eternal Rest
One time when Jesus saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion seeing that they were harassed on every side and helpless like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Jesus came to forgive sins, but He also came to give them rest in Him from the toils of this life (Matthew 11:28) and to take the weight off their shoulders, put it onto Him, and place it on His yoke (Matthew 11:30). Unlike the world’s burdens, His yoke is easy; and with the weight of the world off them, they can truly rest in Christ (Matthew 11:29). Sheep are the perhaps the least intelligent of all animals. They are helpless and unable to defend themselves and would die from care without a shepherd. So it’s no wonder that we are said to be aliens in a foreign land, sojourners or temporary citizens, with our true citizenship reserved for us in heaven (1 Peter 2:11). No wonder Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
A Closing Prayer
Great God in heaven above, give me the wisdom to know what to do for those who have nothing and the courage to speak to them about the Good Shepherd, Who can give them the bread of life and the drink which satisfies forever; and that is Jesus Christ Himself, in Whose holy name I pray.
Amen
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
