In what and whom do we really really put our trust? We all have three levels of needs: physical needs, for food and shelter; emotional needs, for family and friends; spiritual needs, for a clear conscience and purpose. Into whose hands do we commit our needs? Where do we lay to rest our worries?

Mark Twain once said that he had faced many troubles in his life, few of which had ever happened. As you and I peer into the mists of an uncertain future, do we trust in our bank accounts, or commit our needs to friends and family? Jesus Christ calls us to lay to rest our worries in Him, to trust in Him against an uncertain future.

The word "believe" comes from "by-live," that is, "live by." What we believe is what we live by. Do we who believe in Christ live by the promise of His care?

There is an old Arabian legend about two sheiks of the desert who grew date palms. One sheik worried constantly over his trees. When the boughs seemed dry he prayed for rain, and it rained. When the limbs seemed too moist he prayed for sunshine, and it came. When the trunks seemed limp he prayed for frost to strengthen them. With so much asking and changing, the trees died.

Fearing starvation, he journeyed across the desert to the prospering orchard of another sheik, seeking advice. The latter said, "I have prayed to God only this: 'For my date palms, Thou, O Lord, knowest what is best,' and lo, the trees have brought forth fruit abundantly."

In our Scripture lesson this morning, Jesus has firmly resolved to go to Jerusalem, where He knows He will be betrayed and crucified. He and His disciples are walking together on the road leading to Jerusalem and three men encounter Jesus. Each of the three either volunteers or is called to follow Him, and each was blocked by his lack of trust.

Each has a need -- physical, emotional, or spiritual -- which he hoped to have fulfilled by something or someone other than Jesus. Each had a worry he did not trust to Christ.

The first man was overflowing with enthusiasm. He was ready to follow Jesus anywhere! Or was he?

Jesus never lured anyone into the kingdom with a sugar-coated gospel. Jesus was not after decisions; He was after disciples. Jesus warned His followers to count the cost, to bear their cross, to realize what the giving over of self to His lordship meant.

And Jesus knows what is in a man. To him Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests but the son of Man has nowhere to lay his head"

This man must have been accustomed to the comforts of home. The parallel account in Matthew tells us this man was a scribe, and as such led a secure, contemplative life. It was a Jewish custom for a rabbi to be supported by a disciple. The scribe may have been expecting to share in such support.

In any case, this scribe could not follow the call of Christ into an uncertain future without knowing in advance where the next meal was coming from and where he was to spend the night. He had to have something tangible to count on!