The Foxes Have Holes Matthew 8:20 I. Introduction. A. Have you ever felt alone? That no one cared and you had no place to go? B. For most, this does not occur--there is someone and there is someplace to find rest and comfort. C. All of us go home today and pillow our heads in nice warm beds, with full stomachs, and accept our conditions as something we deserve. D. There lived a man who did not enjoy such earthly blessings. 1. He was the son of someone who was powerful and wise. 2. At one time, he was in the house of His father. 3. He left His father and journeyed in a land where people despised him and would put him to death. E. Listen to what he said: Matthew 8:20. 1. His father owned the universe. 2. His father had access to all of the earth's wealth. 3. His father loved him--and yet--permitted him to suffer in a land far from his father. II. Body. A. The animals and birds have a place to live. 1. God created them and empowered them with enough "intelligence" to survive. 2. Note: Psalm 104:16-22. 3. They contribute to man's happiness: Song of Solomon 2:12-13. 4. They are useful to man: I Kings 17:6. 5. God cares for his creation. B. The Son of Man has not even a place "to lay his head." 1. Extreme poverty: Jesus was dependent on others for his physical welfare. 2. Difficult for our imagination. 3. In this condition through no fault of his own. a. Yet--willingly came to earth: John 10:18. b. The blame was on all of mankind. c. He did not deserve what he suffered: it was to save others! d. Would we be willing to so suffer? 4. Completely dependent on the hospitality of others. a. Would you have provided a place for the Lord? b. Do you provide one now--in your heart? c. There is an uncertainty about depending on others. 5. Discuss "Son of Man."(3 times in NT) 6. Someone observed that Christ ate with his enemies, but slept among friends. 7. Christ was a "stranger in his own world." 8. Lived as a "wanderer and an outcast." C. The Lord's statement provoked by: Matthew 8:19. 1. A noble aim: would he pay the cost? 2. A scribe: "professional student of the law"(ISBE). a. Zealous in defense of law. b. Knowledgeable--perhaps more than priests. 3. We do not know if the scribe followed the Lord or not. a. There is a price to be paid to be a disciple: Luke 14:33. b. A willingness to sacrifice for truth and right must be a part of the disciple's life. 4. The scribe did recognize Jesus' knowledge: called him "teacher." 5. The scribe did not know where Jesus would go. a. When one obeys the truth, do not know where will lead. b. Be willing to pay the cost: Luke 14:28. 6. The Lord would go to the cross for him, for me, for you and every soul that ever lived. 7. Perhaps the scribe observed all of the pleasant things about Christ, but did not understand the real conditions(no indication he went away "sorrowful"). III. Conclusion. A. Jesus conditions for discipleship: Luke 14:26-27. B. Will you follow Jesus wherever the journey takes you?-jy