Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
I would venture to say that some of the saddest words we read in the Bible are found in Luke 2:7: "... because there was no room for them in the inn." It's right up there with John 1:11. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." Or Acts 26:28. "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." But Jesus knew the world He was coming into and He knew that most men would reject Him. Still, He came. When He was still in Mary's womb He was rejected. And when He was on the cross dying for man's sin, He ws rejected. The world sent the message loud and clear: "We don't have any room for you!"
The world at large sends the same message today!
Consider the following passages:
Matthew 19:16-22
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mark 4:2-20
2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 but when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Today, calloused men are more captivated by the world than they are with Christ. But there are some that cry out: "I have room for You, Jesus!" Perhaps that is you. The Christmas season brings with it each and every year another opprotunity to confront the timeless question, "Have you any room for Jesus?" Paul attempts to grip our hearts with an understanding of just what He laid aside to come to us.
2 Corinthians 8:9
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye thorugh his poverty might be rich.
This Christmas, consider:
I. What He Laid Aside
John 17:5
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Philippians 2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus laid aside Heaven's glory, the praises of angels, a perfect environment in order to come to this sin-cursed world. And He laid aside His constant communion and fellowship with the Father in Heaven to be separated from the Father for a few dark hours on Calvary's cross. He was by the Father forsaken so that you would never know what it is like to be forsaken by God. Consider what He laid aside.
II. Where He Was Laid Down
He was laid in a manger (Luke 2:6-7).
When Mary "wrapped him in swaddling clothes" and "laid him in a manger," it was foreshadowing His purpose: He was born to die.
While Jesus lived on this earth He did not live in a mansion. Matthew 8:20 reminds us, "... the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Jesus did not have a place to call His own. He left His home.
He was laid to rest in a borrowed tomb (Luke 23:50-56). He only needed to borrow the tomb. He wasn't going to be there very long.
Consider this: He laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:14-18).
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 15:13, Jesus said: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
III. Why He Was Left Out
Why was Jesus left out by the world into which He came? I do think we give the inn keeper a hard time. Too often it is assumed that he had some sort of vendetta against Christ. I do not think that was the case. I think his response is typical of the general population today and I think it is imperative that his case be studied for that very reason.
The general populace is simply too busy for Jesus.
I don't think a majority of people have an antagonistic approach toward Jesus. But I do think the vast majority has an apathetic approach toward Jesus and the Gospel. They don't want to be bothered by it. They are too busy. They are juggling too many burdens. They are out buying stuff. They are bent on making a life for themselves. It's hard to get anyone - especially in America - to pause long enough to consider the question: "Have you any room for Jesus?"
It is a tragedy that many men, women, boys, and girls neglect this question because it spells eternal doom if they refuse to consider Christ and receive Him as Savior.
We are standing on the brink of the day in which we celebrate a historical event that is one of the most significant days in human history - a major turning point if you please. But before our very eyes an unrepentant world sends yet again the very same message to Christ: "We are too busy too be bothered. We don't have any room for you in our lives!"
What about you? Is that your response to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Gospel invitation to be born-again?
"There is no room for you in my inn!"
"My life is filled with the abundance of things; there is no place for You!"
"My schedule is filled with the affairs of this world. I don't have time for You!"
"My mind is filled with self-centered ambitions and desires. I can't think about this right now!"
"My heart is filled with worldly lusts and loves. Jesus, you're just not on my heart and mind at this time."
John 1:11-12, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
Please, make room for Jesus.
He made room for you.
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