Have You any Room for Jesus?
Dan Rodgers
Luke 2:1-7
INTRODUCTION:
1. In the first 7 verses of Luke, chapter 2, we have the account of Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to the little town of Bethlehem. Here, in this place--in Bethlehem, the single, most important event in history took place--the birth of the Son of God. God Himself stepped out of the pages of time and condescended to this lowly estate.
2. The Roman Emperor Constantine was so moved by his visit to Bethlehem that in 330 A.D., he built a church over the grotto (cave) where he believed Jesus was born. It is called the "Church of the Nativity." This is supposedly the oldest existing church in the world and is one of the most visited of all holy sites in the world.
3. Because Caesar had decreed that all citizens should return to their birthplace to register for taxation, Joseph and Mary were required to go to Bethlehem. This was a very busy time in Bethlehem--"all the world" was to be taxed. Many people were traveling through the area; and even under normal circumstances, Bethlehem was a busy place. It was a convenient stopover for caravans on their way to Galilee or Egypt.
4. When Joseph and Mary arrived, the Bible says "the days were accomplished that she should be delivered." It was time to have the baby...but there was a problem; "there was no room in the inn" (vs. 7).
a. Think about that for a moment--"no room in the inn." Here we have the Son of God coming into the world to die for sinners, and the world had no time nor space for Jesus. I wonder...had the innkeeper known who Jesus was; would he have made room for Him?
ILLUS: Here's an interesting story...
In the fall of 1775, the manager of Baltimore's largest hotel refused lodging to a man dressed like a farmer, because he thought his lowly appearance would discredit his inn. So the man left and took a room elsewhere. Later, the innkeeper discovered that he had turned away none other than the Vice ...
Dan Rodgers
Luke 2:1-7
INTRODUCTION:
1. In the first 7 verses of Luke, chapter 2, we have the account of Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to the little town of Bethlehem. Here, in this place--in Bethlehem, the single, most important event in history took place--the birth of the Son of God. God Himself stepped out of the pages of time and condescended to this lowly estate.
2. The Roman Emperor Constantine was so moved by his visit to Bethlehem that in 330 A.D., he built a church over the grotto (cave) where he believed Jesus was born. It is called the "Church of the Nativity." This is supposedly the oldest existing church in the world and is one of the most visited of all holy sites in the world.
3. Because Caesar had decreed that all citizens should return to their birthplace to register for taxation, Joseph and Mary were required to go to Bethlehem. This was a very busy time in Bethlehem--"all the world" was to be taxed. Many people were traveling through the area; and even under normal circumstances, Bethlehem was a busy place. It was a convenient stopover for caravans on their way to Galilee or Egypt.
4. When Joseph and Mary arrived, the Bible says "the days were accomplished that she should be delivered." It was time to have the baby...but there was a problem; "there was no room in the inn" (vs. 7).
a. Think about that for a moment--"no room in the inn." Here we have the Son of God coming into the world to die for sinners, and the world had no time nor space for Jesus. I wonder...had the innkeeper known who Jesus was; would he have made room for Him?
ILLUS: Here's an interesting story...
In the fall of 1775, the manager of Baltimore's largest hotel refused lodging to a man dressed like a farmer, because he thought his lowly appearance would discredit his inn. So the man left and took a room elsewhere. Later, the innkeeper discovered that he had turned away none other than the Vice ...
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