| Jesus Was Homeless continued |
| And don't underestimate the kind of change Jesus can bring! Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he aproached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out-the only son of a his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. Luke 7:11-16 Paul, one of the early followers of Jesus, also knew what it was to be homeless, hungry, and huddled at the bottom of society: "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. . . . Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." 1 Corinthians 4:11,13 But because he had a Friend who had helped him before, he had hope that God would deliver him again: "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. . . ." 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 People in the most desperate situations have turned to Jesus for help, and he never turns them away: Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him [Jesus] to be executed. . . . One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him. . . . But the other criminal rebuked him "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom," Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:32,39-43 Jesus touches people. Jesus changes lives. He comes to you and offers to help you overcome the trouble in your world. May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 On the streets, life is hard. But if someone comes to help, you can have joy and hope even on the streets. Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. . . . Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:20,22 Jesus was once deserted by many of his disciples, and he asked those who were left if they also wanted to leave. But one of them answered Jesus: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68). There is nowhere to find the life and hope that you are searching for. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5 Knowing that you are looking for a place to rest, Jesus said: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 |