Make Room

We make room for new things in our life, new people, new furnishings, new additions. We make room for things we want to make room for and get rid of things that may get in the way of the new things. We prioritize whatever we deem is worthy of our time and love and this can vary as much as the wind. We are only given so much acreage on this Earth for movement and we are only given so much room in our homes for certain things. Room is always desired, we want more room to work, more room to roam, more room to grow. We just like have space but do we have space for God? Some people didn’t and let’s see the events that happened around it; “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.” Even over two thousand years ago, taxes were still a pain, that much hasn’t changed! But apparently, it’s easier to do it now (we can just file on the internet or by mail, we don’t have to go back to our birth town but the Jews did). “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.” The baby ran out of room in the momma and it was time for her to deliver, in a town that wasn’t her home. Talk about a journey with the Son of God and her fiancé on a donkey. She had to be miserable but taking it in stride for the cause. They were looking for somewhere to lodge and since it was a census and many people were there, it was a full town! There was no more room. I can just see Joseph running around breathlessly looking for room for his soon to be wife and a son that belong to none other than the Creator of the Universe. I bet he’s was thinking, “Don’t mess this up, don’t mess this up!” I wonder if he felt like he messed it up when he found there was no room for this young child and the mother. “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.” Mary had Jesus in a barn within a manger. A manger was a feeding trough where cows and sheep ate. There was no room for Jesus in Bethlehem. But it was ordained to happen because there was a reason. “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.” The shepherds were no doubt wondering what in the world was going on! These guys are just out here watching their sheep like every other night and then all of a sudden, the glory of the Lord was shining around an angel! I wonder if they thought they were spending too much time with the sheep. But the angel spoke to them, “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.” The angel told them what was happening and that it was a glorious moment. “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.” A heavenly chorus lit up the sky with beauty and wonderous praise to God Almighty. Jesus would bring peace and good will toward mankind but first he had to come to earth and that was the day! The shepherds had a decision to make, did they want to inconvenience themselves to see this amazing event, or let it pass and go tomorrow. They made their decision, “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.” They trusted it was of God and went to see this announcement. They were the first to see the Messiah! “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:1-17.” The shepherds didn’t keep quiet about this event. They rearranged their schedule, their priorities and their lives around this spectacular event. They made room for Jesus even though Bethlehem didn’t.

Making room for Jesus wasn’t easy. He was God in the flesh after all and that could be a hard adjustment for some seeing beyond the man and seeing God. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” Mary and Joseph lost Jesus. They didn’t make room for him to prioritize them in their life enough to at least find them before they left town. I mean he was twelve, he was able to take care of himself but think of the charge on Joseph and Mary to watch after God in the flesh! Then they realize in shock that Jesus isn’t with them! I’m sure Mary was beside herself.  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” When Mary found Jesus, he was in the temple asking questions and listening to the doctors and intellects of the day. Mary walked up to Jesus, I’m sure in all her motherly role and said, “Son, why have you done this to us, don’t you know that your father and I have looked for you sorrowing?” Mary made a blunder. She called Joseph his father. Joseph wasn’t his father, while Joseph probably took the role as a father in his life, this wasn’t an ordinary situation and Jesus was no ordinary child. Jesus probably looked at Joseph and Mary squarely and solemnly said, “Don’t you know that I was about my FATHER’S (GOD ALMIGHTY) business?” I’m sure that probably touched their hearts in what exactly they were called to do. To make room for Jesus, not as a child but as the Son of the Creator of the Universe. “And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:40-52.” Jesus was growing up and it would be time soon for His true role to be the Messiah, Savior of the World.

He would grow up to show everyone compassion regardless of their circumstance. But it was up to each individual to give Jesus’ compassion back and more importantly make room for him. We are all given this decision as individuals, just because our parents or grandparents have made room for Jesus doesn’t mean that we automatically have. We have a free will and are given the choice to accept to receive the gift God has given or reject it for a defective replacement. It’s all about what you make time and effort for. Just like this guy. “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” The young man had a decision to make, give up all the riches that he had accumulated and sell it to the poor and follow the Savior in a once in a lifetime opportunity or keep his money, his reputation and his prestige. “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.” We may think, we’d never do that, we’d give it all to the poor. What about now? What do you do to help others less fortunate? Do you show them love? Do you show them compassion? Do you show them Jesus, or do you show them the door? Yes, it’s hard when we struggle to make ends meet and God knows that, but we can always help others with a kind word, our time, food, or something else that is needful. We must put ourselves on the backseat and let our not let our pride drive! “And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Personally, I’ve always wanted to see this and picture a very comical cartoon event, but Jesus as always made an excellent point, that it would be impossible. Even if you shrunk the camel or enlarged the needle, something would have to give. Same with us, it would be impossible for us to go on our own, but God made a way where there seemed to be no way. “And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:19-27.”  The rich young ruler didn’t make room for Jesus when it mattered. It made the rich man sad and Jesus sad too. We make room for what we want and this man-made room for his money and not for Jesus. We may make room for other things other than Jesus and when the world gets in our way because of temptation. We would rather push Jesus to the backseat and let other priorities ride up front and center. It could be anything. Imagine the people who walked by the inn day and night never knowing that the Savior of the world was inside. People make the priorities each day to do what they want to with Christ. A group of men decided to make time and interrupt their lives to see the Messiah, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” It is not sure where these men came from or exactly who they were but the gifts they brought signified wealth and intelligence (following a star from the east to Bethlehem and finding exactly where Jesus was, they had God Positioning System on them! No doubt these men probably stood out in a crowd by their different dress or appearance. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-3, 10-11.” They didn’t just give the gifts to Mary and leave. The wise men were a little late to the party because Joseph and Mary apparently found a house to stay in and Jesus wasn’t a babe in a manger but a young child. (Don’t let this run the nativity scene for you). These intelligent and rich men fell down to worship Jesus, they gave room for Him through their devotion of travel and worship. Some people won’t travel to church from a few miles, but these guys crossed borders. Following Jesus may make you feel uncomfortable or put you out, but God will bless you richly for your devotion and love when you give Him time and space into your life.
    
Jesus grew up, the manger was well past, and the miracles were happening. Many people recounted in the Bible during Jesus’ time on this Earth could’ve followed Him and many did, until He started talking about His mission instead of the miracles; “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” How sad to think many people left because they couldn’t understand at the time. Instead of taking the time and asking questions or just learning to enjoy the company of Jesus. They left! They walked out. This happens in our churches all the time. People leave, they are uncomfortable with the prospect of sin but forget that Jesus came for that very reason. He left Heaven to come to earth and showed His love of people to save them from their sins. He loved us despite of it, died because of it, and rose to banish it eternally. But people didn’t want to stay it was too messy, complicated and uncomfortable. Just like the virgin that went into Bethlehem many years before seeking shelter and a place for her newborn son, it was messy, complicated and uncomfortable the. But Jesus saw the people leave him and then turned to the remaining people and asked. “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” This always broke my heart. Jesus knowing everything but asking them, “will you leave me too?” One disciple bravely spoke, Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6:60-69.” Oh, how he got bonus points for that answer! We should say the same, “where will we go without Christ?” If you don’t have Him as your Savior, that’s the reason for the manger, you are destined for a place of torment and tears. If you trust the reason for the manger, the reason for the season, you can have eternal life where Jesus is and worship Him with your whole heart and being face to face when that day comes. But until then, you have got to move some of those heavy burdens, those busy plans, that thing that keeps nagging at you aside and give Jesus some room! Jesus didn’t go around saying, “I was born in a manger, feel sorry for me!” No! He never complained but instead explained and demonstrated the love of God by showing compassion for others, even the ones who least deserved it. May we follow in His example, no matter how busy life gets us!
    
These women knew all about being busy, but something happened, and a lesson was learned. Jesus went to a village for a purpose and showed these women a powerful message, “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” How often we feel this way about our family members, coworkers and even church members. “Lord make them help me!” When we don’t know what they are doing to help the Lord. They are making room for Jesus in their own way. As Jesus told Martha, “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42.” It wasn’t like Jesus was going to be on earth forever and Mary took that to heart and sat at the feet of Jesus while Martha rushed about preparing the house and everything. Martha’s part was important but wasn’t life changing, Mary’s was. Sometimes we have to drop things to just sit at the feet of Jesus but do it responsibly and not as an excuse. We should make time for Jesus in our lives every day whether we pray when we wake up, read our bible with our coffee, pray on the way to work, pray at work or school, pray before we go to bed, and pray over our food, there is always time to talk to God but are we going to push everything aside or are we just going to have “No vacancy” up in our hearts and minds and shut God out for the day?
    
Jesus goes where He is welcome and has done so much for you and me, why don’t we listen to the child who was born in a manger to grow up and die for the sins of the whole world and just open up? The Bible says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelations 3:20.” At a time when the world wants to shut the door and throw away the key on Jesus, throw your heart’s door wide open and receive the greatest gift ever that you can receive anytime and anywhere because Jesus made the way!