Homeless, Rejected, and Poor

Fanny J. Crosby's famous hymn, "Tell Me the Story of Jesus," describes the Savior in terms of Isaiah 53: "He was despised and afflicted," and then adds, "homeless, rejected, and poor." Last week, as we sang this beautiful song, I focused on that word, "homeless," and thought about all of the connotations we give to it these days.

It's hard to imagine Jesus as a homeless person or our usual stereotype--scraggly beard and unkempt hair, dirty clothes, body odor, panhandling, looking for thrown-away objects he can use or sell. Despised, afflicted, rejected, and poor, he would certainly be one from whom men turn away their faces (Isa. 53:3).

Yet it is in the eyes of the homeless of this world, the dirt poor, the abandoned, and the forsaken that we need to be looking for the likeness of Jesus. What did he say?

Whatever you do for the least of these brothers of mine--whether it is feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, giving clothes to those in rags, or visiting those who are sick or in prison--you are doing it for me. Thanks!

Let's develop an attitude mirroring the Man who spent His days preaching the Good News to the poor. Tell me His story. Write every word on my heart. Let me weep while you whisper of His ransoming love. Then, let's you and I relive the drama He acted out.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

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