Jesus is sometimes portrayed as a destitute wanderer or even homeless person, who had nothing and no place to call home? But do the scriptures support this depiction?
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham….. - Matthew 1:1-16
Within the bloodline or genealogy of Jesus, were more than a dozen kings and other prominent Biblical figures. So, as a descendant of greatness and wealth, was Jesus really a nobody with nothing , in the material sense?
And among the ancestors of Jesus, were Abraham ( Genesis 13:2 ) and King Solomon ( 2 Chronicles 9:13 ), who were extremely rich, which raises the question, as to whether, some of the wealth was passed down or trickled down to Jesus, from the many kings and other well-to-do people in His bloodline? Could Jesus have been less well-off, given the wealth and greatness of His descendants?
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take you, Mary your wife..”. - Matthew 1:20
Why did the angel address Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus by connecting him to the great king David? Why did the angel, find it necessary to remind Joseph of his royal bloodline?
And She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn - Luke 2:7
Was Jesus born in a manger because His parents were poor or was it because there was no room at the inn or hotel? And if the parents of Jesus had the resources to stay at the inn or hotel, what does that say about their economic status? Did everyone have the resources to stay at the inn or hotel, in those days?
Even in our time, does everyone have the means to stay in a hotel, motel or inn?
And after entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother…… opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh - Matthew 2:11
What did the parents of Jesus do with these gifts of high value? Did they just keep the gifts or did they convert them into money and invested into something profitable? And how many people, in those days were fortunate enough to have high value products like gold? Did the parents of Jesus use the high value items for themselves or did they save them for their Son Jesus, to use when He grew up?
Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head - Matthew 8:20
Was Jesus really, saying that He did not have a home or was He saying that He was always traveling and never in one place permanently, like foxes go back to their holes and birds go back to their nests everyday?
But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow - Mark 4:38
If Jesus was asleep in a boat, with His head resting on a pillow, did He really have nowhere to lay His head? How many destitute people can be comfortably asleep in a boat, while other people operate the boat? Is this a picture of poverty or of someone with no resources? Did Jesus own or rent the boat?
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene’ - Matthew 2:23
If Joseph, Mary and young Jesus lived in Nazareth, did they have a house there or did they just hang out in the streets? And if the prophets foretold, that Jesus would be a Nazarene or a resident of Nazareth, we’re they talking about someone, who would not have a home in Nazareth?
Also, when the wisemen visited Jesus in a house, whose house was that?
So when they had performed all things, according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth - Luke 2:39
Did Jesus and His parents return to their own city, Nazareth, but did not have a house there?
On the third day, there was a wedding, in Cana of Galilee…… both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding…. - John 2:1-2
Is it common for people with little or nothing to give, being invited to a wedding? And do destitute people normally dress up and attend social events, like weddings?
He chose twelve, whom He also named apostles - Luke 6:13
How did Jesus convince twelve men, to abandon their businesses and professions, plus long absences from their families, to join His traveling ministry, if He had no resources to make up for their sacrifice?
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow me” - Luke 5:27
And how did the tax collector give up his profession, without a similar or better offer from Jesus? Do people usually give up the source of their livelihood, without anything in return?
He saw James and John his brother… mending their nets…. He called to them…. they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him - Mark 1:19-20
How many poor people have hired servants or employees? And how could anyone with little or nothing, attract businessmen to leave their business and join him?
These men weren’t just fishing for pleasure, they were professional fishermen, running a business with hired help or employees.
Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you… - Colossians 4:14
And once again, how did Jesus convince Luke, a medical doctor by profession to abandon his practice and follow Him? How many regular people are able to influence professionals and business people, to leave their careers and join the poor?
Why did Jesus seek professionals and business people, when He could get regular people much easier?
He was in the boat. There were also other boats with Him - Mark 4:36
Do regular people travel in a boat , accompanied or escorted by other boats?
But one of His disciples, Judas said, “why was this fragrance oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor - John 12:1-5
Why would Judas talk about giving to the poor, if Jesus and His disciples were poor themselves?
… he was a thief and had the money box, and he used to take what was put in it - John 12:6
If Jesus had very little financially, why did He need Judas to watch over or handle His finances? And if Jesus didn’t have much financially, why was Judas confident that he could steal some and not be detected?
When they had crucified Him, they divided His clothes by casting lots - Matthew 27:35
Why did the Roman soldiers want His clothes, after crucifying Jesus, if the clothes were ordinary or of low value? Do people usually cast lots, when regular people die, to see who will get their clothes or garments?
1
1
