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WELCOME JESUS INTO OUR LIVES
WELCOME HIM INTO OUR LIVES…Luke 2:7 “...She wrapped Him in clothes and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” On that day the inn keeper went to work just like any other busy holiday season. He gave room for every pilgrim who came for the great festival of Jews in the city. Crowds came to him, looking for a place for refuge. Little did they know that day was not like any other day - the Lord of lords was about to be born into this world. It was just the beginning of the Lord’s greater plan to reveal the Son of God. 1. God is not interested in what we can give Him; God entertains His own plans. This is why its important we conform to His will and His plan. If there was room in the inn, it wouldn’t have been an extraordinary revelation to the world. When all human efforts shut down, our eyes will be opened to the work of God. 2. Very few people witnessed the birth of the Christ but many missed that opportunity: a) inn keeper: Not only did he turn Mary and Joseph away, but he apparently didn’t even call for anyone to help a young mother about to give birth. Jewish people were: civilized, intelligent, and hospitable people who cared deeply about human life. It would have been highly unusual for a young woman about to give birth to be turned away from an inn and left to give birth alone in a stable - and yet, this is what happened. b) Jerusalem citizens: they were in the temple reading the Scripture and praying for the revelation c) religious leaders and priests: they were able to recite the time and delivery of the “King” but did not truly understand nor believe what they recited d) Herod: Unlike the inn keeper, he was well informed. He was afraid of the newborn King of Jews. It was his panic and paranoia kept him back from enjoying the first Christmas. Now lets look at a group of people who did partake in the first Christmas: a) shepherds: the outcasts of society, uneducated and considered invalids - God chose as the first group of witnesses! b) Hannah: an old widow, her old age did not keep her from coming to the temple and worshiping; she yearned to see a move of God in that generation c) Simeon: God promised him that he would see the Lord with his own eyes d) wise men: from a pagan nation, came from the east to see the King; the long journey and unpleasant circumstances did not hinder their opportunity. Are you able to see the work of God in your life? If not, what is hindering you? What are you going to do about it? I want to encourage you to take a step of faith and be bold - don’t let anything stop you from fulfilling God’s promises in your life. Pastor Ben Thomas |
