Pastor
Charles Wages
"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."
(Luke 2:7)
The
truth found in this scripture is familiar to many and unknown to many more.
It's real impact is lost upon an unbelieving world. We all need to be reminded
of our Lord's birth and the events surrounding it.
Why
was there "no room in the inn?" Let's consider just a few reasons.
One reason could be the gross ignorance of God's Word by the people, and
therefore a lack of spiritual insight. The innkeeper could have known that the
prophets had told of the coming of the promised Messiah and how He would be
born. The prophet Micah proclaimed:
"But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel:
whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
Even
old wicked Herod was able to find out where Jesus was to be born (Matthew
2:1-6). Also, the faithful Simeon waited patiently for our Lord`s coming into
this world and was there when the little baby was brought to the temple.
Isaiah, the prince of prophets, wrote some 700 years before the birth of
Christ:
"Therefore
the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and
bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
Isaiah
further prophesied :
"For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the
mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon
his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment, even for ever. The
zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
It
is amazing, yet tragic, that even in our time there seems to be widespread
ignorance of the real meaning of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There
is another reason that the innkeeper was not prepared and therefore had
"no room." It is that he was too busy. This was the time of
registration and taxing of the citizens of that part of the world (Luke 2:1-5).
Business at the inn was excellent and therefore pressing. He wasn't too
concerned about the condition of those who applied for a room. He wasn't
personally concerned about the guests and those who needed a room. This reminds
us of the hymn we often sing which says,
Room
for pleasure,
Room
for business,
But
for Christ, the crucified,
Not
a place that He can enter,
In
the heart for which He died.
The
business world capitalizes on the birth of Jesus. It is hard to even have time
to think of His wonderful birth, death, and resurrection. Other names, other
interests, other people take first place. What is the celebration all about? No
time, no thought, no room for the Saviour who loves us so much! Do we recognize
His glory among all the glamour and glitter?
Another
reason why there was "no room" in the inn is that the world has
changed and corrupted His Name. We are not told whether the innkeeper inquired
of the names of Joseph and Mary. No doubt, he wasn`t interested enough to say,
"What are you going to name your little baby?" The Hebrew people were
very particular in giving names to their children that were descriptive and
significant. For instance, Benjamin means "son of my right hand."
Obadiah means "servant of Jehovah." Immanuel means, "God with
us." His earthly name, Jesus, means "Saviour," and is the theme
of the Bible. The name "Christ" means "Anointed One," the
promised One who would come to His people Israel. His full title or name is now
the Lord Jesus Christ. What a wonderful name! It led Peter to say,
"Neither
is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
His
name is above every name. The apostle Paul was led to exclaim,
"Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every
name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and
things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
(Philippians 2:9-11)
Is
there room in your heart and home for this gracious, glorious Person? Are you
lacking in spiritual understanding? Are you too busy? Are you not aware of the
great significance of His name? Let's think soberly, soundly, and scripturally
concerning His birth and have room for Him. In fact, He should fill our lives.
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