Advent at Ararat 2024 - Days 14 & 15: The Promise cannot be delivered where there is no room.

“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!