He Lived Poor and Died Poor
Christ's poverty and humility are a model for His followers to live by, seeking spiritual wealth over material wealth and finding honor in emulating their Lord's example.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the humble and poor condition of Jesus Christ, who lived without a home and died in poverty, contrasting His life with the worldly wealth that many seek. He reminds believers that Christ's lowly state serves as a model for their own struggles, encouraging them to find solace in their hardships by recognizing that they are not worse off than their Lord. Brooks urges Christians to reflect on Christ's humility to cultivate a spirit of contentment and resilience in the face of their own trials.
Text
"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 feeding trough, 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 compared
to 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!
Sermon Outline
- Christ's Condition in the World
- Jesus' words in Matthew 8:20
- Christ's humble birth, life, and death
- Christ's poverty and low estate
Key Quotes
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” — Thomas Brooks
“He lived poor and died poor.” — Thomas Brooks
“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!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- It is an honor for Christ's disciples to fare as He fared in the world, living in poverty and humility.
- Frequently meditating on Christ's poverty and low estate can bring calm and quiet under crosses and losses.
- Seeking spiritual wealth over material wealth is a key aspect of living as Christ lived.