- araratchurch
- Dec 14, 2024
- 3 min read
“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 NKJV
Many sermons, devotions, lessons, etc., have focused on the last part of our opening scripture. The obvious point that is made is that the reason Jesus’ birth happened in a stable (being placed in an animal feeding trough, a manger, would indicate it was a place where animals were kept), was because there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn. Generally, in concluding a talk on this topic, the question is presented: “Do you have room in your life for Jesus?”
Now, those answering that question in the affirmative, may point to their church attendance, prayers before meals, wearing a cross, etc., or just the fact that they believe Jesus exists, as proof of their devotion and commitment. “Of course,” they may assert, “I do all kinds of Christian things.” Lulu
Those who can’t answer the question of whether they have room for Jesus, in the affirmative, may offer busyness or hectic circumstances, even times the Lord “let them down,” as justification for the Lord having no appreciable place in their lives.
Let’s consider a few points before we entertain that question here.
As we learned earlier, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem because of a required census. And, we know that this census was imposed on all Roman citizens. Therefore, it follows that the inns were overwhelmed with people needing a place to stay, while fulfilling their obligation to the government.
In other words, the innkeeper didn’t turn Mary and Joseph away because they were rejecting them as people, or even because they didn’t have compassion on them. The fact was, the innkeeper, in attempting to accommodate a high demand, seemingly had no choice but to turn them away.
Face it, life happens. And with our daily grind come myriad demands on our time, attention, and money.
Certainly, the Lord can strengthen us to do what we need to do. He can even help us to do what we must, with expedience. As well, He can teach us to be good managers of all our resources.
But, the fact remains, there are just so many hours in a day, a restricted amount of personal resources, and a limit to the number of things on which we can focus at one time.
In order for Mary and Joseph to have had a room in the inn, someone else would’ve had to have been kicked out.
What I’m saying is, if most of what we have in terms of time, energy, finances, attention, etc., is taken up by other things, and the room we have for the Lord is either nonexistent or less than broom closet worthy, then something’s got to be kicked out.
Obviously, we all have responsibilities we must meet; the Lord never calls for us to shirk our personal responsibilities.
But the fact is, people will somehow make room for the things that are really important to them. So, when we find ourselves having no time, no space, and nothing to give to the Lord, we have inadvertently given a window into what we hold dearest.
For today meditate on how the use of your time, attention, and personal resources, reflects whether or not you have made room for the Lord in your life.
The Lord truly wants to come into our lives and abide with us. Indeed, His abiding Presence in us by way of the Holy Spirit, is the only way in which we can be transformed into His very image.
Additionally, true fellowship with Him is the only way to access the many great and precious promises the Lord has given to us.
So, let’s pose this question to ourselves: Does the way we use all of our resources (time, attention, money, mental energy, etc.), indicate that the Lord has room to be born and to grow in our lives? Or, are we offering Him that abysmal broom closet into which we expect Him to manifest His glory?
Maybe it’s time we kicked something to the curb.
One last thing: The Lord was born where He was, and placed in that manger, because that’s how it was supposed to be. But, the other scenario, preaches well.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 13, 2024
- 3 min read
“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 NKJV
[For the next two days we will continue considering this same portion of the Nativity story.]
A Messiah had been promised to God’s weary, sin-laden people for centuries. Now, He makes His appearance in the most unlikely of circumstances. Indeed, The Word made flesh takes His first breath as one of us, in what was most likely a stable.
As we have discussed, the humility of the King of glory condescending into such lowly circumstances, is beyond our human sensibilities. Imagine, the first scent gathered into His precious nostrils, was not the incense of Heaven; rather, it was the smell of animals.
Along with this unimaginable scene, we are reminded that the promise of God was not delayed, much less prevented, by adverse circumstances.
Indeed, you will find throughout the Bible—as is often true in our own lives—that adversity can actually be the womb for God’s promises.
Look at the classic example of Abraham and Sarah. They had been given a promise, but with the passage of time, it seemed that the fulfillment became less and less likely. However, Abraham continued to hold to the hope of receiving the son of promise.
“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.”
Romans 4:18-19 NLT
In fact, Sarah was assured of the promised son—even in the face of contrary evidence—because of Who had made the promise.
“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
Hebrews 11:11 NKJV
Yes! The fulfillment of God’s promise is not dependent on perfect circumstances. Nor is it hindered by the absence of the same. For that matter, it is independent of whatever the world, the flesh, and the devil can try to exact against it. Its fulfillment is only dependent on the perfect faithfulness of He Who has promised…and whether we will believe.
There was no room in the inn, so a very tired couple had to deliver their firstborn son where only animals may have been born before. But no adversity could keep He Who was promised for centuries, He Who was personally promised to Mary and Joseph, from making His entrance into time, right there in Bethlehem.
For today meditate on the fact that God’s promises are often realized in the midst of adversity.
Remember, the promises of God haven’t come into your adversity to die; on the contrary, perhaps that is where they will be born!
Finally, make no mistake, it doesn’t matter what anybody says, or how it looks in the world, Jesus will come again, just as He said He would. And, He will receive to Himself those of us who are looking for Him, having counted as faithful, He Who promised.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 12, 2024
- 3 min read
“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 NKJV
In Jewish culture, the firstborn—generally a firstborn son—had a privileged position and a larger portion of the inheritance. With that, he also had the additional responsibility of caring for his mother and unmarried sisters in the case where the father was incapacitated (in which case he would take care of both parents) or deceased.
“He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation.”
Colossians 1:15 AMP
Our Lord, as our elder Brother and Firstborn of the Father, has authority over us all. But, He also took on the responsibility to make a way for us to be reinstated into fellowship with the Father through His death on the cross.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Romans 8:29 NKJV
Additionally, Jesus became the Firstborn from the dead so that we could also be raised from death into eternal life.
Now, we know that Jesus was not the first to be raised from the dead per se, as He raised people from the dead in His own earthly ministry. And, in the Old Testament we see multiple cases of people being raised from the dead. However, none of those people (raised from the dead) were raised to eternal life; at some point, they had to again experience death. But, Jesus was raised from the dead, NEVER to die again!
“and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.”
Revelation 1:5 NLT
For today meditate on what it means for Jesus to be the Firstborn of the Father. What responsibilities and authority does He assume for us? Where would we be without Him?
Additionally, consider the soon coming of Jesus Christ for those who are His. With that, consider His promise that He is preparing (and “holding”) a place for us, even now!
Glory to God! Through Jesus Christ we will be raised to eternal life, given a glorified body, never to face death again!
“Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal). Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed], in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed]. For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death]. And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever). O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].”
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 AMP
Thank God for the Firstborn! He never ceases to watch over us. As well, He is always working to make a way for OUR victory!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!