The Pilgrim's Toll

Today I was praying God would open the door of friendship to me as He did to Moses and give me a heart like His servant David's. Interesting that after I prayed this I read: 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.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:19-22)

By this point in Jesus' ministry He was very well known and it was clearly evident His popularity was still very much on the rise. Now consider the oppression of the Roman Empire, the cries of the people for their messiah and Jesus making His powerful entrance into this. It's very likely the scribe in verse 19, the disciple in verse 21 and even The 12 apostles (especially Judas) were all expecting Jesus to be a conquering king messiah. He would not only free them from the oppression of the Romans but take their empire from them. We know now that Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, spiritual freedom and seat us beside Him as more than conquerors in a spiritual sense. It was this self centered perspective Jesus was continually cutting through and still is.

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

The scribe said "I will go wherever you go". I believe Jesus' reply to him was both specific to the heart of this scribe and revealing a cost of following Him. I believe Jesus is using the foxes and birds as an analogy of creatures of this world (animals and those on the "wide road"), which follows the theme in His second reply. Basically I believe Jesus is revealing a nomadic existence for those who want to follow after Him. Though it's not a promise it does seem to be almost an assumed cost of following Jesus. I know I've seen this played out in my life, my family and many other Christians'.

However, don't take my word for it. Consider the following verses and decide for yourself the implications:

By faith Abraham dwelt in the land of promise as  in  a foreign country,  dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob,  the heirs with him of the same promise; (Hebrews 11:9).

 These all died in faith,  not having received the  promises, but  having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced  them  and  confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:9, 13-16)

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify of it that its works are evil. (John 7:7) 

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.    If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18, 19)

There are multiple tests for the believer in the Bible and it would seem there are various levels. The question is: what do you want? Do you desire a closer relationship with Jesus? Are you willing to count the cost? Are you seeking that better country or are you satisfied with what this world offers?

Know that no one is holding you back; not your parents, spouse, the enemy and especially not God. Jesus desires good and better things for all of us. You are the only person holding you back.

Temptations...

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. (Matthew 4:2)

Symbolic of baptism: God baptized the world during 40 days & nights during Noah's time, as well as the Israelites as they walked in between the Red Sea at the onset of 40 years in the desert.

Symbolic of suffering and isolation:

The world was purged of sinful wicked men during Noah's time. Noah was more isolated and alone than ever before in his 600 years. The Israelites were isolated from all other peoples for 40 years.

Trusting and obeying God:

Noah did what all his neighbors called crazy. Noah did the insane out of obedience trusting God wasn't leading him astray and would redeem him. Moses led the Israelites into the desert for 40 years obeying and trusting God was leading him and His people to the promise land.

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’  ” (Matthew 4:3, 4)

When we have gone without for an extended period of time it's easy for the enemy to tempt us to do something we know is wrong to provide. Jesus knew His calling and trusted His Father to provide in His calling.

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,  and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the  Lord  your God.’  ” (Matthew 4:5-7)

His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.  For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”  For even His brothers did not believe in Him. (John 7:3-5)

The enemy and other people:

It's interesting how Jesus' brothers had the same perspective as satan and tempted Him in the same way. Satan was up to his old tricks (see the Fall). While Jesus’ brothers didn't believe, projected their selfish need for fame and power, or projected their cynicism and jealousy.

Twisting the word of God:

Satan even used these verses in proper context, but with evil intent misusing the word. How often do we give ear to someone preaching the word with wicked intent simply to use it to our selfish ends?

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (I John 4:1)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.    Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (Matthew 4:8-10)

I believe this is the question satan was waiting to ask. The first temptation sought to tempt Jesus to meet the most immediate need of food after 40 days of fasting. The flesh can be a very powerful voice, but Jesus was confident of His identity in the Father and only heard His voice. Then satan tempted Jesus to glorify Himself miraculously before the world and establish His reign as the son of God. However, Jesus know this wasn’t His calling and so trusted the word of His Father. Lastly, satan revealed the shortcut. This is the most extreme and yet perceived easiest and most fulfilling temptation. I will give you the entire world if you worship me! I only wonder why Jesus waited till this moment to order the enemy away? However, in this we can find an example of the temptations we all must face, but with the knowledge that we are hidden in Christ and He overcame all temptations and sin itself.