He lived poor and
died poor
"Jesus replied—Foxes
have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son
of Man has no place to lay His head." Matthew 8:20
Jesus does not say, Kings have palaces—but I have none.
Nor He does say that rich men have houses and lands and
mansions to entertain their followers—but I have none; but, "Foxes
have holes and birds of the air have nests, but I
have no place to lay My head."
Your outward condition is not worse than Christ's was, when He
was in the world. Christ's condition was low, yes, very low and
humble in this world. He was born in a stable, lived on the
charity of others, and did not have enough money to pay His
taxes. The great
Architect of the world had no place to lay His head—but emptied
Himself of all, and became poor to make us rich, not in
goods—but in grace; not in worldly wealth—but in the treasures
of the eternal world. He lived poor and
died poor.
Are you houseless, are you penniless, are you poor, and low, and
base in this world? So was Christ! Remember "the servant is not
greater than his Lord!"
It is unfitting to see the Head all begored with blood
and crowned with thorns—and the members to be decked with
roses and jewels, and to smell of rich spices, and perfumes!
Are you in a worse condition than Christ was, in this world? Oh
no, no! Why then do you murmur and complain? Why do you say
there is no sorrow like your sorrow, nor any suffering compared
to your suffering? O sirs! it is honor enough for the disciples
of Christ to fare as Christ fared in this world. Why should the
servant be in a better condition than His Lord? Did you but
seriously and frequently meditate and ponder upon the poverty
and low estate of Christ while He was in this world, your hearts
would be more calm and quiet under all their crosses and losses!
Thomas Brooks, London's Lamentations, 1670
