Is There Room For Jesus
All Scripture taken from the New Living Translation
Luke 2:6,7 – And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That last sentence though… She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Because there was no lodging available… There was no room for them… No room for Jesus…
All that was available was a manger… The Savior of the world was born in a barn and laid in a manger… His first experience in the world was lowly and unsanitary…
The word manger comes from the Latin word munducare, which means, “to eat.”
The Hebrew definition means trough or booth…
The manger was what the barn animals ate out of and / or slept in…
Think about this… the Son of God, God Himself, the promised Messiah… the Savior of the world… The One who had been anticipated for thousands of years…
Prophesied about (First prophecy was in Genesis chp.3 from God to satan) …
Also, these prophecies had been studied by many as to when He would come to earth in human form to redeem mankind from their sinful nature…
There was no room available for Him to arrive with some type of dignity…
The arrival of Jesus was an event that would split history’s timeline into B.C. and A.D. and there is no room… No proper place for the Messiah to be born!
When you don’t know what God is up to in your life… Or you think that He doesn’t care…
Give some thought to how His own Son entered the world to reveal to mankind His love for them!
God is there! He is always there to see us through everything we will ever face…
But there are some parallels we can make with the arrival of Jesus and our own lives that we’re going to look at.
You see, before we were even born, God has a plan and a purpose for every one of us… And often He lays that out for us… But then our own agenda gets in the way…
Often, Jesus shows up in our lives and we don’t even see Him… We can’t see past the plans we have for ourselves to realize He is trying to lay out a much better plan for us to follow…
A plan full of blessings and success…
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us – … God has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
We all have eternity planted in our hearts… The idea of something more than what this world has to offer…
We were created to have God’s Holy Spirit living in our hearts…
We were created by God to have a friendship with God…
Until we understand this, life isn’t going to make much sense…
But often there is no room in our hearts for Jesus… Instead, our hearts are filled with other ideas, other interests, other values, loves, and commitments…
We crowd what was made to be filled by Jesus with other things…
And when this happens, we don’t have room for the gifts God wants to give us…
Look around you at the sun, moon, stars, nature and how organized everything is…
God created everything with a purpose, and He created each one of us for a specific purpose as well… He wants the very best for our relationships, careers, finances…
All of it, God wants us to have the best in life…
But there’s this one simple thing… And a lot of people miss it… We must make room for Jesus…
For a lot of people our hearts are like our garages… Too full for what’s it was originally designed for!
Jesus described this type of person in Mark 4:19 (Paraphrase) – The message of God’s Kingdom is quickly crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things…
Or maybe it’s not what Jesus is describing here that leaves no room for Him in our hearts…
It could be the question of, why do I need a Savior? After all, I’m a good person… I live by a set of good moral codes, I treat others right, I don’t cheat or steal… I work hard and take care of my family… And all this may be very true!
But here’s the deal… It doesn’t matter how good a person is… It will never be good enough to get to heaven without putting our trust in Jesus!
Romans 3:22-24: 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Sometimes passages like this don’t make sense if we don’t realize how much we need a Savior…
We are under the penalty of our sinful nature until we put our faith in Jesus.
And the truth is… When doing life on our own… In our own human wisdom… We only get so far until we start to wander…
When prophesying about the sin of mankind and how Jesus would take our sins upon Himself to offer eternal salvation…
The prophet Isaiah had this to say about people and what Jesus did for us on the Cross…
Isaiah 53:6 – All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.
Being under the penalty of our sinful nature… What do you mean I’ve strayed from God’s path? … Why the need for a Savior? … And this Savior taking the sins of mankind upon Himself so that when we put our faith in Him, we are no longer under the penalty of sin… What does all this really mean? … All seems a bit foolish…
1 Corinthians 1:18-25: 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”[a] 20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,[b] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
And this all started with a baby in a manger!
How many people do you know think it’s foolish to believe in a virgin birth?
How many people do you know think it’s foolish to believe in Jesus, who will save us from our sinful nature?
How many people think it’s foolish to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus for us to have eternal life in heaven?
Well, that’s God’s plan for mankind!
This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
You see, the reason we need to make room for Jesus is so we can get to know our Creator and have a place secured for us in heaven…
Listen, heaven is perfection… It’s the perfect environment where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more sickness… We will have perfected bodies…
Our minds cannot fathom what God has prepared for us in heaven…
1 Corinthians 2:9 – No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love Him.
- The Apostle Paul is quoting the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah chp. 64)
If heaven was open to everyone, whether you put your trust in Jesus or not, then it would be no different than living here on earth forever… No different!
So, for the plans God has for us to be made available… He sent His Son to earth in the form of a baby… In a manger… to reveal to the world His love for us!
Apart from Jesus, Christmas is all about gifts, right?
Shortly before Jesus was about to be crucified on the Cross, He left a gift for His disciples… A gift that cannot be found anywhere else…
John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world.”
This same gift of peace is available for us as well! And in that peace, we know, that no matter how chaotic life gets Jesus has it all under control…
He has overcome every situation we will face… And the moment we allow room for Him in our hearts, in our lives…He will always be there for us!
Just like Joseph and Mary knocking at the door of the inn looking for a place to stay…
Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts looking for a place to stay…
Revelation 3:20 – “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Jesus will never stop knocking… He will never stop waiting for an invite to see if there is room for Him in our lives.
It’s as easy as opening the door and letting Jesus in… From that point on you and Him will be friends…
And from that point on life becomes a celebration with the Savior of the world!
So, I’ll end with this question…
Is there room for Jesus in your life this Christmas?
‘The First Christmas’
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David): To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
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.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. — Luke 2:1-16
‘The Little Drummer Boy’
David grew up in the kitchen of the inn. His father was the innkeeper. His mother cooked the food. David’s older sisters cleaned the rooms, and his older brother swept the stable. David loved to sing. He would sing to his mother as she cooked the food. David made up songs and banged on pots and bowls as he sang to her. David’s mother smiled at him. “Someday you will sing in the temple, my son,” his mother said. David grinned at his mother. “Tem-ple,” David said very carefully.
David’s father came into the kitchen. “How is my big boy?” David’s father asked as he swung David onto his shoulders. “Pum Pum Pum! Tem-ple come!” David sang as he drummed on his father’s head with a wooden spoon. David’s father smiled as his son kept on drumming. “We must find this boy a drum or my poor head will not survive!” said David’s father, with a laugh.
A few years later David got a small drum for his birthday. Soon he was beating rhythms on his drum wherever he went. Pat-a-rum, pat-a-rum, pat-a-rum, David drummed to copy the donkeys on the road. Swish-click-click-tum, swish-click-click-tum, went David’s drumming to copy his brother sweeping straw in the stable.
One day David’s father said to his family, “We are going to be very busy. Caesar Augustus has ordered a count of all the families in all the towns.” “Pum Pum. Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum. I counted six of us!” David sang. “Why does this make us busy?” “Because people will come to Bethlehem to be counted with their families,” said David’s father. “They will need a place to stay. They will stay with us, and we will be very busy.”
David loved to beat his drum to the sound of donkeys strolling along the road.
David’s mother cooked more food. David’s sisters cleaned the rooms. David’s brother swept out the stable and put new hay and pots of water in the stalls. David’s father greeted the people as they came into town. Soon the inn was very full. David played his drum and sang his songs for the people.
Late one night there was a knock at the door. David peeked around his father at the young man and his wife, who was on a donkey. They had no room for these people! What could they do? David’s father was a kind man. “You can stay in the stable,” he said. “It is warm and dry there. I can send food out to you.” The young man thanked David’s father and walked the donkey to the stable.
David helped his mother carry bread and cheese out to the young couple. His mother told him the woman was going to have a baby soon. The next day there was a lot of excitement. “The young woman who stayed in the stable last night had her baby,” David’s mother told him. “The baby is the King of Kings, they say!” said David’s father.
David gave the gift of song to Baby Jesus.
David could not see the baby because of the crowd around the stable. David stood at the back of the crowd and began to make up a song for the baby: “Come, they told me, our newborn king to see. Our finest gifts we bring to lay before the king. So to honor him when we come.”
The crowd began to part when they heard David’s beautiful singing: “Baby Jesus, I am a poor boy, too. I have no gift to bring that’s fit to give a king. Shall I play for you on my drum?”
David stepped closer to Mary, Joseph, and their son. Baby Jesus smiled at David, reached out, and patted his drum.
Love, spirit, and the beat of his drum brought one little boy closer to the infant Jesus.
‘The Christmas Star’
Isaac’s head began to nod. His hand slowed down scratching the dog’s head. It was hard for a boy of ten to stay awake all night in the field. The dog licked his face. “What? Oh, good boy,” Isaac said. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. The sky was clear and full of stars. Isaac was glad his father thought he was old enough to help with their flocks of sheep.
Isaac’s father and his uncle soon came by to check on him. The three of them sat to share a loaf of bread and some cheese. Suddenly a bright light washed over the shepherds from above. They were scared. They looked up to see a host of beautiful angels. One of the angels spoke to them. “Do not be afraid,” the angel said. “I bring you good news of great joy! Today a savior is born in Bethlehem. He is Christ the Lord. Go to the city. You will find the baby lying in a manger. Follow the brightest star.”
Hundreds of angels appeared and sang praises to God. As suddenly as they appeared, the angels returned to heaven. Only one bright, shining star over Bethlehem was left in the sky. The shepherds were amazed. “We must go to the city and find this savior,” said Isaac’s father. “We must hurry!” said Isaac.
The shepherds began to round up their flocks and herd them toward home. Once the sheep were penned up, Isaac and his father and uncle walked quickly to Bethlehem, where the star was shining down on the stable behind the inn. There they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in the stable.
Jesus was bundled in clean cloths and sleeping in a feeding manger full of fresh hay. The light from the star shone back from the baby’s face. The shepherds fell to their knees.
Isaac knelt by the manger and said a prayer, thanking God for giving a savior to the world. Isaac’s father thanked Mary and Joseph for letting them see the baby. When the shepherds left, they told everyone they saw about the miracles they witnessed that night.
The star shone over Bethlehem day and night. One night a large caravan made its way past the shepherd’s field. Isaac went to the edge of the field and called out to the men. “Did you see the one they call Jesus?” he asked. “We did!” the men replied.
These men were not like any men Isaac had ever seen. They were the three Wise Men. “We saw the star from our lands very far away. We have traveled a long time to see this child called the Savior. The kings from our countries sent precious gifts to give to him.”
Isaac said to the Wise Men, “You did not come by my fields when you came to Bethlehem.” “You are right,” said the tallest man. “We asked King Herod where to find this savior.” “The king did not know,” continued the man, “but he told us to find out so he might worship him also.”
“We followed the star to the house where young Jesus was staying,” said the shortest man. “We gave our gifts of gold and frankincense, to scent the air, and myrrh, a costly oil.”
“Then we were warned in our dreams by an angel not to return to Herod but to go home another way,” said the oldest man. “So that is what we have done. And now we have met you, my young friend.” “I am Isaac,” said the young shepherd. “I’m telling everyone about God’s glorious star lighting the way to the King of Kings.”
A Christmas Letter, from Jesus
When you look for me at Christmas,
You won’t need a special star.
I’m no longer just in Bethlehem,
I’m right here where you are.
You may not be aware of me
Amid the celebrations.
You’ll have to look beyond the stores,
And all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
From your list of things to do,
To close your eyes and say a prayer,
I’m waiting here for you.
You’re the one I want to be with,
You’re the reason that I came!
And you’ll find me in the stillness
Where I’m whispering your name.
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