A Place to Lay My Head
A very religious man, who studied the Scriptures daily, came to Jesus one day and said,
"I will follow You wherever You go" (Matthew 8:19).
Lord, I, too, will follow You wherever You go.
I will be Your disciple, do Your will, obey Your teachings, and live my life for Your glory.
But, Lord,
I want a place to lay my head.
I want it to be a comfortable place.
I need to have my needs met.
I expect to have my expectations fulfilled.
I have the right to have my rights given to me.
I deserve these things.
Lord, I want a place to lay my head.
I want it to be a trouble-free place.
I don't like pain - it hurts.
I don't like suffering - it's useless.
I don't like persecution - it's unnecessary.
I should be exempt from these things.
Lord, I want a place to lay my head.
I want it to be an abundant place.
I want the things other people have that make life convenient.
I want a nice house and all the things that make life easy.
I want the activities that make life enjoyable.
I shouldn't have to give up these things.
Jesus looked at the man and said,
"The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests;
but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20).
The man still had the opportunity to leave all and follow Jesus,
but he turned away because there would be nowhere to lay his head.
Now, fast-forward to the scene on Calvary. Jesus is nailed to a cross. His blood is flowing from His body as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
He declares, "It is finished," meaning the work of salvation has been accomplished.
Then He "laid His head down and died" (John 19:30).
Lord, I understand now. You had nowhere to lay Your head ... except on the cross.
If I want to follow You....
I must be willing to lay my head on the cross of the calling that You have
designated for me.
I must give up my demands for ease, rights, and abundance.
That cross may be a place out of my comfort-zone, away from my family,
into unknown territory.
To follow You is to follow You to the cross.
I realize now that You never promised Your followers their choice of a place
to lay their heads.
You lay Your head on the cross for me.
Yes,Lord,I will follow You wherever You go.
You have chosen a cross for me - a calling for my life and a place to live out that calling.
Truly, my satisfaction, my fulfillment, and my joy in life are in
knowing You
and being Yours.
I am ready to live for You. I am ready to die for You.
I willingly lay my head on the cross for You.
