The Homeless King

By Roy Loney

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     "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." The young man had come filled with awe at the power of Christ to heal all diseases, and impressed by the gracious personality of this prophet of Nazareth. Impulsively he offered to follow Jesus anywhere. But Christ knew he did not understand his offer nor the sacrifices it entailed. He did not know that Jesus would be "despised and rejected of men" and condemned to death. Christ's reply really meant: "If you wish to follow me you must become homeless. I am the Creator of the world, yet I am more homeless than wild creatures. Can you endure such a life?"

     Perhaps there never was another man so homeless as Jesus. He was born in a stable, and cradled in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. In his life he had no permanent abode; at death he was buried in a borrowed tomb. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor that we through his poverty might be rich." The only thing he owned at death was a garment, and they robbed him of that. No other word in our language arouses such tender memories as "home." There childhood was spent under the protecting care of father and mother, in the companionship of brothers and sisters. The carefree days seemed too short to enjoy the pleasures of each waking hour. A homeless wanderer once wrote: "Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam; Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." In His adult days Jesus had no such home. His weary path led him over the hills and valleys of Galilee, into inhospitable Samaria, and among the bustling cities of Judea where evil men were plotting his death. Perhaps only in the home of Mary and Martha did Jesus find a real welcome. He was a homeless man seeking to give an eternal home to every one.

     As an evangelist I have spent the greater part of my adult life in the homes of others where I have been cordially received. Good sisters have shown me the greatest kindness while a guest in their homes. Many times I have wondered if they had not wished that they might have the Lord in their homes, to eat at their tables and enjoy the comforts they provided. Perhaps many have wished that, like Martha they might prepare him a meal, or like Mary anoint his head with ointment. But it never occurs to many that Jesus is still homeless and hungry.

     The privilege of Martha's is yours if you recall that the weary wanderer is still among us, saying, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me." His spiritual presence can occupy your heart for joy and peace. He once said, "If any man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him." Both Father and Son can dwell in the guest room of your heart. What a wonderful honor can come to you. Jesus can dwell in your heart by faith (Eph. 3:17).

     When an honored guest is expected we prepare to entertain him. We clean our home throughout. We apologize for any remaining untidiness. The Lord will not dwell in an unclean place, and unless our heart is free from worldliness we cannot hope to entertain the King. James wrote: "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; purify your hearts, ye doubleminded." We would not expect an honored guest to live in a room filled with rubbish. Nor will Jesus live in a heart not purified by faith.

     Outward performances of religious sacrifices, rites or ceremonies, are entirely unacceptable to the Christ. But a contrite heart longing for more purity and holiness is a holy sanctuary in which He will dwell (Psa. 51:17). The stranger at the

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door will be repulsed by a cold and formal theology, but will delight in a heart that glows with personal affection for Him. His statement, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8) does not relate to after the resurrection, but means that He will come into every cleansed heart. There He will dwell, not because He needs a dwelling place, but because we need His comforting presence. Our daily prayer should be that of David: "Create in me a clean heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit within me." Loving God and Christ with a completely surrendered heart is the first commandment (Mark 12:39). Our greatest need is to get away from doctrinal discussions, to a reconsideration of the glorious person of a loving, compassionate Saviour, and prepare our hearts so He may find a dwelling place within them. The living Christ will then live in you!