of money. Others say that the scribe wished to follow Christ out of ostentation, because he thought that Christ would give him the power of working miracles. O, how many in the world pretend to follow Christ, who in reality seek their own ends!
II. Consider the answer which Christ gave the scribe. " The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests, but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay His head." As if He wished to insinuate this sentiment — why should you wish to follow Me for worldly wealth, when I have no lodging of My own, being more poorly provided than the very beasts of the field and the birds of the air? O wonderful poverty of this sovereign King! This poverty, however, is of such immense value as to be able to purchase the kingdom of heaven. " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. v. 3.)
III. The true disciples of Jesus Christ ought, like their master, to have no coffers in which to hoard their treasures (as foxes "have their holes"), and they ought not to be like birds who build their nests on high; that is, they ought not to seek high and dignified employment, but court humility and obscurity. Their Master was "poor and in labors from His youth." (Ps. lxxxvii. 16.) Ponder the import of the Prophet's words: "Though thou be exalted as an eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord." (Abdias, 4.)
TUESDAY.
Three Classes who follow Christ. — II.
I. "Christ said to another, follow Me, and he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." (Luke
