The two incidents which follow, though at first sight apparently
different in character from the great majority of the group, are
quite in place among the mighty deeds of the Master, manifesting, as
they do, His penetrating insight into character. To all appearance
there could have been no better offer than that of the impulsive
scribe--"Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest"; and,
had it been made with a full understanding of all it meant, it would
beyond all question have been at once accepted; but He Who "knew what
was in man" saw at once what manner of man this was--how he was quite
unprepared for the hardships he would have to undergo; and therefore,
while by no means declining the offer, He gives him fair warning of
what he might expect, in these memorable words: "The foxes have holes,
and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where
to lay His head." There is infinite pathos in the words. Moreover, the
form in which the truth is put, while fitted effectually to deter the
selfish and faint-hearted, would be no discouragement to a truly
devoted and courageous soul, but would rather fire it with a holier
ardour to follow the Son of man anywhere, at whatever cost, rejoicing
to be "counted worthy to suffer shame" and loss "for His name."