No Room
St. Luke 2:1-7
1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. {taxed: or, enrolled}
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. {taxed: or, inrolled}
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. {taxed: or, inrolled}
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 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.
This is got to be the most joyous time of the year; a time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Even though the world has commercialized Christmas and has even gone so far as to take Christ out of Christmas, it doesn’t take away the fact that over 2000 years ago, there was born in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Most of you here today have probably heard these scriptures read many times especially during Christmas season.
These scriptures are the end result of prophecies that were made hundreds of years before this event.
They are also the hope and confidence of every human being, for a Savior has come.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
In these scriptures we find Mary and Joseph leaving their home town of Nazareth and traveling to Bethlehem for the purpose of registering for taxation.
Joseph had to register in Bethlehem because he was of the lineage of David.
The lineage denotes that he was descended from David as his father or ancestor.
In taking a Jewish census, families were kept distinct; hence all went to the place where their family had resided. Joseph was of the family of David, and hence he went up to the city of David.
It is not improbable that he might also have had a small paternal estate in Bethlehem that rendered his presence there more desirable.
But the amazing thing about all this is, that it was prophesied that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.
Micah 5:2 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.
John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
So when it came time for Mary to deliver her first born son, God preordained circumstances to occur that would direct them to Bethlehem so that prophecy could be fulfilled.
Then we read again in St. Luke chapter 2, verses 6 and 7;
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 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.
Verse 7 has been used by ministers many times and yet the message still has merit in our world today.
I really don’t have the answer as to why there was no room in the inn.
I would imagine the city was packed full of people from all over the region, there to also register for taxation.
But it makes me wonder why it appears no one offered to give this pregnant lady their room, or make room for her at least, seeing the condition she was in.
But then, things really haven’t changed much has it?
We still live in a selfish dog eat dog world today!
It seems most people are more concerned about themselves than about anyone else.
I don’t know how many inns there were in Bethlehem at the time Joseph and Mary showed up, but possibly Joseph checked every inn in town but everyone of them had no vacancy.
Couldn’t someone see the situation they were in? Couldn’t someone offer some kind of decent help?
But then Mary began to have contractions, and they came closer together, and the pain grew more intense, and she knew it was time.
I can imagine her telling Joseph, “Joe, we’ve got to find a place for this baby to be born! We can’t wait another minute! I can’t deliver out here on the street.”
Joseph sees a stable and hurries Mary inside, and there the Savior of the world was born!
The donkeys would have to step aside. The sheep would have to eat their hay later, for the Son of God needed a place to lay down His sweet head!
Out in the fields where shepherds were watching their sheep that night. Suddenly an angel appeared!
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 Savior, 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.
What a glorious time it was! A Savior is born! A Savior is born!
Not very many people even noticed what took place in that little stable that night, but a multitude of the heavenly host did!
To most people it was just another little Jewish baby.
But God took notice! Mary pondered in her heart! Joseph’s mind was still unclear! But God had fulfilled His promise!
A Savior was born in Bethlehem just like he promised.
There was no room for baby Jesus in the inn,
Later there would be no room found for Him among the Jewish rabbis and religious leaders.
But the strange thing was; there WAS room for him in Pilate’s judgment hall.
There WAS room for Him on Golgotha’s hill.
There WAS room for Him in the garden tomb.
And thank God there was room for Him at the right hand of the Father!
Then we look at our modern world today. There is still no room for Jesus.
In our political correct society there is room for Buddha.
There is room for Allah.
There is room for humanism.
There is room for atheism.
There is room for new age theology.
There is room for every radical, diabolical religion you can think of.
BUT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR JESUS!
The ACLU and all their sympathetic supporters are doing everything within their power to remove the name of Jesus from our society.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently suing a small South Carolina town of 1,200, because the town’s council has traditionally invoked the name of Jesus in its prayers.
The name of Jesus is being suppressed in our schools.
Some people get offended if you wish them a “Merry Christmas”. They prefer “Happy Holidays”.
There is simply no room for Jesus today! The name of Jesus is “politically incorrect” in our social world.
The name of Jesus offends some people.
Why would anyone be offended at the mention of His name?
Are they offended by the name of Mohammad?
Are they offended by the name of Allah?
Are they offended by the name of Buddha?
Then why the big fuss over the name of Jesus?
He was the most pure man that ever walked.
He was the most perfect man who ever lived.
He was kind, meek, and forgiving. He went around the country healing the sick, casting out devils, delivering those who were bound, feeding the hungry, and even gave His life on a cross for his enemies!!!
If the world wants an example of peace, love, kindness, purity, and charity, what better man could they have as an example?
What could possibly offend them? Why would they give Him no room in our world?
The man Jesus did no wrong. There was no guile found in His mouth!
He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities:
The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth:
He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
What is so offensive about that?
He taught love and forgiveness? He taught to love your neighbor as yourself.
He taught us to be kind and tenderhearted.
What is so offensive about that?
Yet even when he was walking the face of this earth, many were offended at him.
Mt 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Mr 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
I will tell you why the name of Jesus is offensive, and why there is no room for him in our society.
1. Because they are offended by His teachings.
His teachings conflict with their lifestyle.
He taught us to love our enemies.
He taught that we have to forgive if we want forgivenss.
He taught us to turn the other cheek.
He taught us to love our neighbor as ourself.
He taught against selfishness and pride and the dangers of riches.
He taught that we are to live a holy life; to forsake the world and to take up the cross and follow him.
To deny the lusts of the flesh, that to even look upon a woman to lust after her is to commit adultery in our hearts.
You see the world with all its carnality and sensuality doesn’t like this kind of teaching.
So they are offended at Him! He makes them feel uncomfortable. Because Jesus is so holy and they are so sensual, they are at enmity with Him.
Secondly I believe the main reason Jesus is so offensive in our society is that the devil has blinded the eyes of the world lest they see and understand that Jesus is the only way to God.
Satan tried to silence him when he was born.
He tried to silence him on the mount of temptation.
He tried to silence him on the cross.
He tried to silence him in the grave.
If Satan can only silence any mention of the name of Jesus, millions would be lost without ever hearing the message of the truth.
Listen to this very important truth;
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
You see, the way of Christ cramps the world’s lifestyle.
They love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.
They feel threatened by the name of Jesus. So they think if they could just remove Him from view, they could go on with their diabolical ways and everything will be alright.
But it won’t be alright!
I’m sorry if I offend you this morning, but Jesus is the only way to God!
I hate to offend you but if you plan to go to heaven when you die you must commit yourself to Jesus Christ and allow him to become Lord of your life.
If you don’t, you are going to hell!
But Brother Pastor, that offends me! Well, I’m sorry but that’s the way it is, and God never changes.
You see people today don’t want to hear the truth.
They don’t want to hear that they are going to hell.
They don’t want to hear that their sins are an abomination to God.
They don’t want to hear that they are out of line with God’s plan. They want to live their own selfish way.
But I want to tell you this morning, one day many years ago I made room in my heart for Jesus Christ.
His Holy Spirit lives there right now! He guides me, and directs me, and keeps me, and strengthens me, and protects me, and loves me, and I could go on and on.
He satisfies my life! He made life worth living!
He gave me something to look forward to!
He took away the stinking thinking from my mind!
He took away the condemnation in my heart.
No I could never live like he lived! I’m too imperfect! I make mistakes! I struggle with the flesh, just like we all do.
My flesh wars against the spirit, and the spirit wars against my flesh.
But by the grace of God I’m saved, by the grace of God I am forgiven, and by the grace of God He will carry me through.
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