No Room for Him

Photo by Sailko 2013

 

Each time I read the Christmas story, I marvel that the Son of God, the promised Messiah, left His throne in Heaven and came to us in human flesh (John 1:14) to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Yet the birth of Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14; 19:16), happened in the most lowly of circumstances. He was not born in the comforts of a royal palace, but in a cold and drafty stable, among the odors of barnyard animals, laid in the scratchy hay of a feeding trough (Luke 2:7).

Why? Because there was no room for Him and His parents in the inn (Luke 2:7). Each time I read that, I cringe to think what it means to have no room for the Saviour. What blessings did the innkeeper miss because he did not joyfully relinquish his best room to the Holy Child? What blessings did God’s chosen people miss because they did not recognize or receive Christ, their Deliverer? (John 1:11-12; 5:43)

What blessings will our nation lose because we no longer have room for Him in our schools, our courtrooms, and our public squares? Even those churches will be held accountable that no longer have room for Him and His Word. Instead, they are devoted to preaching a prosperity or social gospel, to false doctrine (Matthew 7:15; Ephesians 4:14; 2 Peter 2:1), to entertainment, to ostentation, and to social networking, all in the name of building their numbers while falling away from the One Sure Foundation (Luke 6:48-49; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11).

What blessings did I miss in those many long years before I was born again (John 3:3-8) by turning away from my sins and believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only Way to Heaven? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 14:6). Before I was saved, my life was strangely empty, yet so filled with pursuing wealth, status, and other worldly treasure that I had no room for Him. What blessings am I missing now when worldly distractions (Hebrews 12:1) take up valuable space in my heart -- space that should be completely dedicated to Him?

So many today are like the fool whose chief concern is that he has no room to store his great accumulation of stuff, and decides to build a bigger storehouse for it all, failing to realize that he can’t take it with him (Luke 12:15-21). When death comes knocking, he who has the most toys does not win, but only he who has Christ living in his heart (2 Corinthians 1:22). All others will slip into eternity only to spend it in hell (Luke 16:22-26), forever separated from the God Who would have saved them had they found room for Him (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

But as I reread that there was no room for Jesus in the inn, I realized that was a good thing! With God, there are no accidents and no surprises, for He works all circumstances together for the good of those who love Him, to His glory (Romans 8:28). Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6) to fulfill the prophecies that the Christ, the Deliverer and Ruler of Israel, would be born there (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6).

The town was packed out because Caesar commanded that all who hailed from there should return to be taxed (Luke 2:1-5). But had God the Father wanted His Son to be born in the best room Bethlehem had to offer, surely that would have happened, despite the overwhelming crowds and the modest means of His earthly parents (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26).

But how would that have changed the course of history? Had Jesus been born in the privacy of a secluded, comfortable room tucked away in an inn, how would the shepherds have worshipped Him?

In those days, shepherds were on the lowest rung of society – outcasts and vagabonds who traveled about with their sheep, and not above stealing one another’s animals, food or possessions if they could get away with it. That was one reason why they had to keep watch over their flocks by night (Luke 2:8) Like all of us, they were sinners (Romans 3:23), but unlike many, they admitted their sins and longed for the change of heart only a Saviour can bring.

No wonder they were terrified when the angel of the Lord appeared to them (Luke 2:9). Yet the angel came not to condemn them, but to bring them the great news that their Saviour was born! (Luke 2:10-11) How like Jesus, Who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), to send His first birth announcement to lowly sinners who knew they needed Him!

Immediately the shepherds made peace with one another and agreed to leave everything behind and to rush off to worship the Son of God (Luke 2:15-16). The angel had told them they would recognize their Lord, for He would be wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger (Luke 2:12).

True, the angel could have said, “He’s at the inn on Main Street, second floor, first door on the left.” But how would even one shepherd have made it past the innkeeper, let alone the whole throng of shepherds visited by the multitude of the angelic host? Even if they had, how would they all have fit in a small room?

No, it took an open, vast, unguarded space for the King of glory to be adored by all those who wanted to fall down before Him. We tend to think of the stable as a small but cozy wooden enclosure, but it most likely would have been built into a cave on the side of a hill. The mouth of the cave would have been open, allowing the hillside and adjoining fields to be filled with hordes of shepherds worshipping Him.

Not only were the shepherds the first souls to be born again, but they were the first missionaries! After they witnessed the Child with their own eyes and found room for Him in their hearts, they told everyone who would listen what the angel had told them, that Jesus was their Saviour, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11,17)

As a result, many considered this testimony and no doubt were born again themselves (v. 18). The shepherds' testimony was a confirmation to Mary (v. 19), strengthening her for the difficult journey she faced mothering the Son of God, and their praise and faithfulness brought glory to God (v. 20).

So, had there been room for Jesus and His earthly parents in the inn, many would not have known of Him at that time, because there would have been no room for the shepherds to worship Him!

Later, Jesus continued to have the problem of “no room,” because news of His teachings and miracles caused great throngs of people to crowd around Him (Matthew 5:1; 13:2; 14:14-21; 21:9). Often, there was “no room” for those desperate for His healing word or touch, yet that often emboldened those in need.

The woman with the issue of blood fought her way through the crowds, risking being condemned as unclean, just to touch the hem of His garment (Luke 8:43-48). The friends of the man with palsy cut a hole through the roof of the house where Jesus was, having no doubt that He would help their sick friend (Mark 2:1-12). In every case, Jesus rewarded the faith of those who would not accept “no room” as their final answer.

God is not stingy in doling out blessings. Instead, He loves to shower blessings on His children, answering our prayers exceeding abundantly beyond what we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20; 1 Timothy 1:14). If we seek Him first, He heaps good things on us until we have no room to store them up inside, and they overflow to all those blessed to be in our path (Luke 6:38; 12:29-32).

May His Living Water flow through us like a river nourishing the parched soil around us! May His Light shine through us so that it cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:15), but illuminates the lives of all we meet! May we give Him all the room in our heart, so that we have no room for worldly cares or sorrows, and not enough room to contain all the joy and peace He gives us!

© 2014 Laurie Collett
Reposted from the archives

 

                                            O Holy Night sung 12/12/21

 

No Room for Him

Each time I read the Christmas story, I marvel that the Son of God, the promised Messiah, left His throne in Heaven and came to us in human flesh (John 1:14) to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Yet the birth of Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14; 19:16), happened in the most lowly of circumstances. He was not born in the comforts of a royal palace, but in a cold and drafty stable, among the odors of barnyard animals, laid in the scratchy hay of a feeding trough (Luke 2:7).

Why? Because there was no room for Him and His parents in the inn (Luke 2:7). Each time I read that, I cringe to think what it means to have no room for the Saviour. What blessings did the innkeeper miss because he did not joyfully relinquish his best room to the Holy Child? What blessings did God’s chosen people miss because they did not recognize or receive Christ, their Deliverer? (John 1:11-12; 5:43)

What blessings will our nation lose because we no longer have room for Him in our schools, our courtrooms, and our public squares? Even those churches will be held accountable that no longer have room for Him and His Word. Instead, they are devoted to preaching a prosperity or social gospel, to false doctrine (Matthew 7:15; Ephesians 4:14; 2 Peter 2:1), to entertainment, to ostentation, and to social networking, all in the name of building their numbers while falling away from the One Sure Foundation (Luke 6:48-49; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11).

What blessings did I miss in those many long years before I was born again (John 3:3-8) by turning away from my sins and believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only Way to Heaven? (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 14:6). Before I was saved, my life was strangely empty, yet so filled with pursuing wealth, status, and other worldly treasure that I had no room for Him. What blessings am I missing now when worldly distractions (Hebrews 12:1) take up valuable space in my heart -- space that should be completely dedicated to Him?

So many today are like the fool whose chief concern is that he has no room to store his great accumulation of stuff, and decides to build a bigger storehouse for it all, failing to realize that he can’t take it with him (Luke 12:15-21). When death comes knocking, he who has the most toys does not win, but only he who has Christ living in his heart (2 Corinthians 1:22). All others will slip into eternity only to spend it in hell (Luke 16:22-26), forever separated from the God Who would have saved them had they found room for Him (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

But yesterday, as I reread that there was no room for Jesus in the inn, I realized something new to me -- that was a good thing! With God, there are no accidents and no surprises, for He works all circumstances together for the good of those who love Him, to His glory (Romans 8:28). Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6) to fulfill the prophecies that the Christ, the Deliverer and Ruler of Israel, would be born there (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6).

The town was packed out because Caesar commanded that all who hailed from there should return to be taxed (Luke 2:1-5). But had God the Father wanted His Son to be born in the best room Bethlehem had to offer, surely that would have happened, despite the overwhelming crowds and the modest means of His earthly parents (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26).

But how would that have changed the course of history? Had Jesus been born in the privacy of a secluded, comfortable room tucked away in an inn, how would the shepherds have worshipped Him?

In those days, shepherds were on the lowest rung of society – outcasts and vagabonds who traveled about with their sheep, and not above stealing one another’s animals, food or possessions if they could get away with it. That was one reason why they had to keep watch over their flocks by night (Luke 2:8) Like all of us, they were sinners (Romans 3:23), but unlike many, they admitted their sins and longed for the change of heart only a Saviour can bring.

No wonder they were terrified when the angel of the Lord appeared to them (Luke 2:9). Yet the angel came not to condemn them, but to bring them the great news that their Saviour was born! (Luke 2:10-11) How like Jesus, Who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), to send His first birth announcement to lowly sinners who knew they needed Him!

Immediately the shepherds made peace with one another and agreed to leave everything behind and to rush off to worship the Son of God (Luke 2:15-16). The angel had told them they would recognize their Lord, for He would be wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger (Luke 2:12).

True, the angel could have said, “He’s at the inn on Main Street, second floor, first door on the left.” But how would even one shepherd have made it past the innkeeper, let alone the whole throng of shepherds visited by the multitude of the angelic host? Even if they had, how would they all have fit in a small room?

No, it took an open, vast, unguarded space for the King of glory to be adored by all those who wanted to fall down before Him. We tend to think of the stable as a small but cozy wooden enclosure, but it most likely would have been built into a cave on the side of a hill. The mouth of the cave would have been open, allowing the hillside and adjoining fields to be filled with hordes of shepherds worshipping Him.

Not only were the shepherds the first souls to be born again, but they were the first missionaries! After they witnessed the Child with their own eyes and found room for Him in their hearts, they told everyone who would listen what the angel had told them, that Jesus was their Saviour, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11,17)

As a result, many considered this testimony and no doubt were born again themselves (v. 18). The shepherds' testimony was a confirmation to Mary (v. 19), strengthening her for the difficult journey she faced mothering the Son of God, and their praise and faithfulness brought glory to God (v. 20).

So, had there been room for Jesus and His earthly parents in the inn, many would not have known of Him at that time, because there would have been no room for the shepherds to worship Him!

Later, Jesus continued to have the problem of “no room,” because news of His teachings and miracles caused great throngs of people to crowd around Him (Matthew 5:1; 13:2; 14:14-21; 21:9). Often, there was “no room” for those desperate for His healing word or touch, yet that often emboldened those in need.

The woman with the issue of blood fought her way through the crowds, risking being condemned as unclean, just to touch the hem of His garment (Luke 8:43-48). The friends of the man with palsy cut a hole through the roof of the house where Jesus was, having no doubt that He would help their sick friend (Mark 2:1-12). In every case, Jesus rewarded the faith of those who would not accept “no room” as their final answer.

God is not stingy in doling out blessings. Instead, He loves to shower blessings on His children, answering our prayers exceeding abundantly beyond what we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20; 1 Timothy 1:14). If we seek Him first, He heaps good things on us until we have no room to store them up inside, and they overflow to all those blessed to be in our path (Luke 6:38; 12:29-32).

May His Living Water flow through us like a river nourishing the parched soil around us! May His Light shine through us so that it cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:15), but illuminates the lives of all we meet! May we give Him all the room in our heart, so that we have no room for worldly cares or sorrows, and not enough room to contain all the joy and peace He gives us!

© 2014 Laurie Collett
Reposted from the archives

Triplets of Confirmation: Mary, Mother of Jesus

Artist A.N. Mironov 2014: Jesus presented at temple

As we have seen in recent posts, God carefully orchestrated the details of Mary’s life, including her family tree, her betrothal to Joseph, and their places of residence, so that Jesus would fulfill the prophecies about the promised Messiah.

Mary’s genealogy (Luke 3:23-38) included ancestors who reflected God’s plan of salvation for all people. His mercy, grace, and love is illustrated in Adam’s rebellion (Genesis 3:6-19); Noah being spared from destruction with his family as the faithful remnant (Genesis 6-8); and Enoch, foreshadowing how those who walk with God will be raptured (Genesis 5:24). It included the patriarchs and rulers, namely Abraham, Isaac, and David, of Israel, God’s chosen nation.

Mary’s husband Joseph also was the descendant of David, confirming Jesus Christ’s claim to eternal rule on the throne of David (Luke 1:32). Joseph’s character of faithfulness, compassion, and loyalty enabled him to obey God’s commands as His servant, devoted husband to Mary, and Godly father figure to Jesus. Joseph’s home town of Nazareth, family city of Bethlehem, and temporary residence in Egypt all fulfilled specific Messianic prophecies concerning Jesus Christ.

After Jesus was born in a Bethlehem stable, the family spent time in three places when He was a young child. The first was a house in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:8-11), perhaps belonging to one of Joseph’s relatives who invited the new family to stay once taxation by Caesar Augustus was completed (Luke 2:1-5) and the overcrowded town began to clear out. The second was in Egypt, where they fled for safety, as Herod was bent on destroying male infants (Matthew 2:16). The third was in Nazareth, where they returned once the danger was passed (Matthew 2:21-23).

Through His angel speaking to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 2:8-11, 13,22), God commanded Joseph to take his family to Egypt, and then to return to Nazareth, with His perfect timing. In total, God spoke to Joseph in a dream three times, the first being when He told Joseph to marry his betrothed, for she was carrying the Son of God  (Matthew 1:20-21).  Each time that God spoke, Joseph obeyed and Mary followed without question, hesitation, or complaint.

As a result, not only was Jesus kept safe and alive, but Messianic prophecies were also fulfilled. It had been foretold that the Anointed One would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6), be called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:17-18), and be named the Nazarene (Matthew 2:23; Isaiah 11:1).

Given Mary’s observance of the law (Luke 2:22-24) and apparent familiarity with Scripture (Luke 1:46-47), she may have realized with every move that these prophecies were coming to pass, strengthening her faith in what God had said about the remarkable destiny of her Son (Luke 1:26-38). 

During Jesus’ early childhood, there were three occasions in Israel (two in Bethlehem and one in Jerusalem), where Mary and Joseph received further confirmation that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The first of these was on the night of His birth, when shepherds came to worship Jesus and conveyed the Good News that they had heard from the angel (Luke 2:8-20).

The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly what they said to Mary, Joseph and the Babe (v. 16), only that all wondered at their news, and that Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart (v. 18-19). Based on what the angel had said, the shepherds may have spoken of glory to God, peace on earth, and good will toward men (v. 14). They may have repeated that the birth of this Child in the city of David meant good news and great joy for all people, for He is the promised Savior, Christ, and Lord (v. 10-11).

Mary may not have yet realized that her Son’s gift of salvation mandated His death, burial and resurrection to pay for all of our sins, reconcile us to Holy God, and give eternal life to all who trusted in Him (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:15-19; Hebrews 9:26-28). But over the next weeks, months and years, the puzzle pieces started to fit together.

The second confirmation of Christ’s destiny occurred when Mary and Joseph traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to present Jesus at the temple at 40 days of age, as the law of Moses commanded for the firstborn male (Luke 2:22-28). This confirmation came from Simeon, an old worshipper who was just, devout, and waiting for Israel’s salvation (v. 25).

The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon; He revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Christ Who would deliver His people; and He guided Simeon into the temple on the day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus there (v. 25-27).

Realizing that Jesus was the Christ Child, Simeon took Him in his arms, blessed God, and blessed Joseph and Mary (v. 34). He was now ready to die, now at peace, for God had kept His promise to him (v. 29). This precious Child he held was Salvation for Jews, Gentiles and all people (v. 30-32) who believed in Him.

But for Mary, despite this amazing revelation, it was not all good news. Simeon told her that Jesus was set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; for a sign which others would speak against; and that her own soul would suffer unimaginable grief as she watched the sword pierce her Son (v. 34-35).

Through Holy Spirit inspiration, Simeon spoke to Mary and not Joseph, which was appropriate as the Bible does not mention Joseph after the incident where Jesus, still a youth, remained in Jerusalem, causing His family quite a panic (v. 41-51), as we shall see next week!. Evidently Joseph, who was likely older than Mary, did not survive long enough to see Jesus embark on His earthly ministry, nor to see His crucifixion or resurrection.

Thankfully, God did not leave Mary alone to ponder Simeon’s troubling prophecy, for Anna was at hand to affirm the Good News that Jesus was the promised Savior (v. 36-38). Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was elderly, and had been married for seven years but now had been widowed for 84 years.

Despite this burden, Anna showed her faithfulness to God by never leaving the temple, fasting and praying to God night and day. She came to comfort Mary “in that instant;” she thanked God; and she witnessed to all in Jerusalem that Jesus would one day redeem them.

Mary’s third confirmation regarding the destiny of her Son came in Bethlehem, when Jesus was a young child (Matthew 2:1-12). Wise men reading Scripture prophecy about the future King of the Jews knew that He would be born In Bethlehem; that He would be a Governor; and that He would rule Israel. They sought Him, rejoiced when they saw the star leading to Him, and followed the star straight to the house where Jesus, Mary and Joseph were living.

On arrival, they entered the house that the star had identified, saw Jesus, and fell down before Him. Then they worshipped Him, opened their treasures, and presented three gifts to Him; gold, frankincense and myrrh. They heard God warn them in a dream that they should not report back to King Herod, obeyed God, and returned home by traveling another way.

How Mary's heart must have overflowed with thanksgiving, amazement, and yet sorrow as she contemplated what would happen to her Son. Now His Divine destiny was confirmed not only by shepherds, and even by prophets, but also by the wisest men of their day, who had sacrificed their time, treasure and pride to honor Him.

Did Mary understand the significance of their gifts – gold fit for a King (Revelation 17:14;19:16), frankincense because He is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), and myrrh, used to anoint a body for burial, because He was born to die? Whether she knew it then or only as she saw the events of His earthly ministry unfold, it is certain that she submitted to God’s perfect plan, obeyed His Word (Luke 1:38-39), and trusted in His Son (her Child) as her King, Lord and Savior (Luke 1:46-47).

Just as her ancestor Abraham trusted God (Genesis 12:1-12; Hebrews 11:8) to reveal His perfect plan in His perfect timing, one step at a time, so did Mary, and so must we. Only then can we experience the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), joy in the Lord (Psalm 21:1), and the fulfillment that comes from hearing Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

Praise God that He gives us the reassurance, confirmation, and direction at every bend in the road, if we stop, look and listen to His messages!

© 2016 Laurie Collett