MAKING ROOM FOR THE SAVIOR
“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
Joseph and Mary had made the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where they were obliged to report. While they were in Bethlehem, the Christ child was born that the prophecy of the Scripture be fulfilled. Because all the lodging places were occupied, the Savior of the world was not born in a clean comfortable room, but in a manger, a crib where cattle were fed.
There is something so majestic in this scene. Our Lord came to this earth to love and liberate hurting people. He did not come to magnify Himself or impress us with His glory and grandeur. His persona was always of humility and meekness. Jesus identified more with the common people than the elite. Simplicity marked His ministry. He wrote in the sand, rode a borrowed donkey, and slept under the stars. His birth epitomized His mission. He laid aside that which He was entitled to as the Almighty God. He is the Creator of the worlds and commands angels, and yet He condescended to live in our world that He might redeem us from our sin. Jesus was not intrusive or demanding, but rather content and unassuming.
This character of our King moves us to love Him and worship Him, not because He came to this earth demanding it, but because in every way, He deserves it. Jesus does not force Himself into our lives. There was no room in the inn for Joseph, Mary, and the soon to be born King. In a very similar way, there is little room for Jesus in many lives today. Schedules are too full to find time to honor Him, seek Him, or serve Him. Jobs, as well as recreation and leisure, take precedence over the house of God. Hearts are too crowded with other affections to love and worship the King of Glory. Budgets are so full there is no thought of giving to Him. Minds are so distracted that they have no time to meditate on His wonder. There is just no room for Jesus in the experience of so many. However, for those of us who know and love Him, we want to make room for Him. If we do nothing else, we want to adore and worship Him. He is to have first place in our hearts and our schedules.
Our Lord is looking for those who will make room in their lives for Him. May the Shepherd of our souls always know we genuinely welcome Him.