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"No Room in the INN"
Luke 2:1-7
As hectic as it's become, we savor the joy of the season. As our world keeps roaring toward an uncertain future, Christmas is a kind of security blanket that connects us to the past. The sounds and sights and smells of the sacred time of the year bring back old memories, and they remind us of a Savior who entered human history through a virgin's womb in a Bethlehem barn.
Many of us haven't visited a barn for quite a while. The aroma is anything but holy, hay makes us sneeze, and insects abound. How strange that the Son of God came to earth in the presence, not of world leaders, but of animals.
He arrived, not in a palace, but in a stable.
He came in simplicity, not extravagance.
He demanded none of the world's comforts or protections.
From His first moment, Jesus came exposed to all the dangers the world could offer.
Peering through the dimness of that cave or stable, Joseph and Mary probably had to admit, that at first glance, their baby seemed like any other newborn child.
He cried in the middle of the night.
He hungered for milk.
He needed fresh "swaddling clothes" every now and then.
Understand, Jesus is like no other, for He was fully human and fully divine simultaneously.
Nothing about His humanity could detract from His godliness.
Nothing about His godliness could detract from His humanity.
Only because this is true can He reconcile the Father in heaven with His children on earth.
He is the Man of both worlds; He is the bridge by which God comes to earth and people come to heaven.
In that regard, the Virgin Birth is the sign of His divinity.
He came to the earth from outside, pure and clean, and was in no way a product of this world.
His mother, Mary, had not known a man, but the Holy Spirit had overshadowed her and the power of the Most High had come upon her; therefore the Holy One born to her would be God himself.
In the same way, the infancy of the Child is the sign of His humanity.
He had ten fingers, ten toes, a nose, and a good set of lungs. He was one of us in every way.
He arrived from heaven with perfection and godliness, yet He was fully human.
It was a deliberate equation. In Matthew 1:21 the angel said to Joseph, “And She (Mary) shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sin.” Jesus is the bridge by which God comes to earth and people come to heaven. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to SAVE that which is lost.” There is the key reason for Christ’s coming, “to seek and to SAVE that which is lost.”
Now having said all that, please turn your attention to Luke 2 where we have recorded for us the birth of Jesus. Follow along as we read verses 1-7,
“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, every one into his own city. 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:) 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.”
In this message, let me focus your attention on THREE thoughts:
Number 1: There was no one at home during the first Christmas. Every twelve months people feel the need to “be home for Christmas.” But everyone who participated in the very first Christmas was away from home so that you and I could find our way to our eternal home in heaven and celebrate forever the Christ of Christmas!
When the first group of worshippers and participants gathered in Bethlehem, they had no idea that their gathering would be immortalized and celebrated every year for the next 2,000 years.
First: There were Mary and Joseph. When Caesar Augustus declared that a census should be taken in Palestine, the expectant parents were forced to leave their home in Nazareth of Galilee, north of Israel, and make the slow, difficult journey to Bethlehem, the home of Joseph's ancestors. The arduous fifty mile journey probably took most of a week. The young couple was probably one of the last to arrive in the City of David. The stable where they took shelter was not their home, but it was where the prophet Micah had predicted they'd be on the world-changing night of the first Christmas.
Second: There were the angels. They left their heavenly home to come to the sky above Bethlehem to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. How different earth must have seemed to them! And how they must have wondered about the way the King of heaven and earth was being introduced to His future earthly subjects – being born in a stable, cushioned on straw, swaddled in rough linen, and attended by humble shepherds.
Third: There were the shepherds who were also not-at-home even though they were the closest to home, being from Bethlehem or nearby. For the first Christmas, they rushed into town to find the birthplace of Israel's new king.
Fourth: Speaking of kings, it was some years later when a group of magi (probably astronomers from Persia) made their way to the house where the young family was then staying. The magi were the farthest from their earthly home, perhaps hundreds of miles. But they still came out of a sincere desire to acknowledge the birth of the new king that the Hebrew Scriptures had foretold and the star had pointed out.
Fifth: The last person of note, who was far, far from His home, was Jesus Christ Himself. His absence from His heavenly home and presence in a stable in Bethlehem is history's greatest mystery, and the cause of the first and all subsequent Christmases. He gave up the pleasures of home in order to secure a home for us for all eternity.
Number 2: I don't know about you, but each and every time I read the story of the birth of Christ in Luke 2, and each and every time I see either a play or a performance that gives accent to the part where there was "No Room" in the Inn for the birth of Christ, and as a result He had to be born in a stinking, livery stable, I get very sad.
The story of the life of Christ on earth is summed up in this brief verse of Luke 2:7, "And she (that is the virgin Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was NO ROOM IN THE INN." What a sad, sad commentary. Here is the Son of God, the savior of the world, yet there was “No Room” for Him.
In Bethlehem they begrudged the Son of God even a place to be born. And then in life there was no permanent room for Him anywhere as He wandered up and down this earth. In Matthew 8:20 we read, "the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."
They begrudged a room for Him even in His mother's and brother's home, for "either did his brethren believe in Him." John 5:5.
Nazareth begrudged Him His fame and asked, in Matthew 13:55-57, "Is not this the carpenter's son? …whence then, hath this man all these things? … and they were offended in him."
The Pharisees begrudged Him His power and declared in Matthew 12:24, "This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."
They begrudged His right in His own Father's house and asked in Matthew 21:23, "By what authority doeth thou these things? …" when He cleansed the Temple of worldliness and thieves.
The chief priests begrudged Him the Sabbath of which He was Lord, because He therein healed the sick and made whole the man with the withered hand.
They begrudged even the homage of harlots and publicans and murmured, in Luke 15:2 where we read, "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."
Simon the Pharisee begrudged Him even the tears and kisses upon His feet, dried with the hair of a forgiven streetwalker, the woman who was a sinner. Simon swore therefore that Jesus was not a prophet.
Judas Iscariot begrudged the perfume in the alabaster box of ointment which was broken for Him by the love of Mary.
They begrudged Him even an hour of prayer when He sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. They broke into it with their torches, swords and staves, to kiss Him with a traitor's kiss, to bind Him and lead Him away to trial and murder. Even in His death, the senseless malice of a wicked race of men had no room for Jesus.
The rulers begrudged His name, "The king of the Jews," nailed above His cross, and begged Pilate to change it.
They begrudged Him even His clothes in the hour of His shame and stripped Him naked, seamless garment and all.
They begrudged Him even a drink of water when in His dying agony He said, "I thirst." Instead of water, they gave Him vinegar and gall.
They begrudged His poor, tired body even the peace that death brought. After He had given up the ghost, they pierced a spear deep into His side, and there came out water and blood.
They begrudged even the testimony of their sin and His love that His hanging body gave to the world. They hastened to take the body down before sunset. They had no room for Jesus even then.
And when He rose from the dead, they begrudged Him even this proof that He was the son of God. "They gave large sums of money unto the soldiers, Saying ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him way while we slept. And if this come to be, we will persuade him and secure you."
Even today, men
Begrudge Him, His miracles,
Begrudge His Virgin Birth,
Begrudge His bodily resurrection,
Begrudge even the inspiration of his words,
Begrudge Him His deity, and still
Begrudge His hold on the hearts of men!
No room, no room for Jesus. Sad, indeed, isn't it? The world continues to celebrate Christmas without the Christ. However,
When we look at the sweet baby Jesus in the CRADLE of the Bethlehem stable, and
When we go to the CROSS of Calvary and see the Son of God hanging there for our sins, and
When one day we'll see the Son of David wearing the CROWN that will be placed upon Him as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, He will reign victorious!
Number 3: We should not have to ask the question, “What was the purpose of His coming?” However, let me briefly remind you of three, all important, purposes for His coming.
One: In I John 3:8 we read, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil." This is every bit of good news. What are the works of the Devil? Aren’t they not murder, lying, lust, oppression, and everything else born in Hell? The word SIN is a very frightful word indeed. No man ever played with sin, that sin didn't get the better of him.
Maybe you have played with your sin so long that your case seems hopeless. But, thanks be to God! Sin never took anyone so low; it never bound anyone so tightly, that Christ Jesus couldn't reach down and set them free. That is why He came, to destroy the works of the Devil. And so I come to you with this message,
no matter what your past has been,
no matter what you have done,
no matter where you have gone,
if you will turn to Him, Jesus will set you free, destroy the works of the Devil in you, and give you victory.
Two: In I John 3:5 we read, "Ye know that He (referring to the Lord Jesus) was manifested to take away our sins." Jesus put himself on the cross in order to take away your sins.
Perhaps you say, "My thoughts have been dirty and impure." To which God says "It's all taken away." In Psalm 103:12 we read, "I will remove thine iniquities from them as far as the east is from the west."
Perhaps you say, "I've cursed and blasphemed and profaned." Yet the word rings back, "It's all taken away." For in Isaiah 38:17 we read, "I will cast all thy sins behind my back.".
Perhaps you say, "I have led a double life, I am one thing in Church, but another thing at home." But the glad news leaps out from the pages of God's word, "It's all taken away." "I will cast all thy sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19.
Perhaps you say, "I've been a crook and a liar and a thief." God answers, "It's all taken away." He says, "I will blot out thine iniquities as a thick cloud." Isaiah 44:22
God says, "It's all taken away." Jesus was manifested to take away sins. Therefore, "I will remember thine iniquity against thee no more forever." Jeremiah 31:34.
Three: In John 14:9 Jesus says, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Jesus was manifested in order to show us who God is.
The only perfect revelation God ever made of Himself, He made in Jesus Christ. If you will look at Him through Jesus Christ, you will know what kind of God He is. "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."
Thinking through the thoughts shared with you, let me ask my friends here today:
Have you ROOM for Jesus?
Have you crowded Him out of your heart?
Have you time to serve Him, time for His Word, time to pray?
Or, will you go to Hell because you have NO ROOM in your heart for the Son of God?
Oh, dear friends, let Him in today so Christ can bring into your soul a sweet peace. You can never have peace without Him. He brings salvation. Christ gives everlasting life.
Most of the world has NO ROOM for Jesus. "The world will take the Christmas of Christ, but not the Christ of Christmas." Those few who receive Him, how happy they are and how blessed! We read in John 1:11-12 these words, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
At this glorious season, let me urge you to claim Jesus Christ today. It's because God himself was invading human history on a search-and-rescue mission for you and me. That's why Jesus had to come. And that's why we have to receive Him into our hearts, as I hope you have. If you haven't, you can do so right now, saying, in the words of the old carol:
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
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If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon “No Room in the INN” then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you.
Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in
Acts 16:31, “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: “I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation.”
If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior let me know? Please send an e-mail to, pdmikBBM@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life.
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In His Amazing Grace,
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