Without Reserves

Matthew 8:19-20 – Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 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.”

A certain scribe makes Jesus an offer. 

Those watching the many miracles Jesus was performing might have thought that following Him was going to be glamorous. The scribe was possibly even envisioning positions of leadership or expecting financial gain out of the proposition. 

In response, Jesus does not tell him he cannot follow Him, instead, He paints a more realistic picture. Jesus was setting right the expectations for those who would choose to follow Him and telling HIs listeners, that He was indeed the Messiah of power and glory, but not necessarily the one they were expecting. Following Him was not a rosy, smooth, or easy life. 

The ministry kept Jesus on the move, making him homeless. Many homes like Peter’s were open to Him, but He had none of His own. He lived a very simple life by faith, trusting His Father for every need and without reserves of material resources. As His disciples, we are to expect nothing else. 

What reserves are you and I relying on, more than on our heavenly Father?

Lord may I increasingly trust you for my every need.