No Room for Jesus

By Bill Brandstatter

    In the book of Luke, we have a record of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem. Mary is ready to have a child. They go to an inn and there was no room for them. So, they spent the night in a stable where Jesus is born and laid in a manger. There was no room for Jesus in the inn. I wonder if room could have been made if the owner of that inn would have known that the Savior of the world was going to be born there.

    We have more information today than the owner of the inn did. We have information about Jesus before and after the manger. We know that He existed in heaven with God from eternity (John 1:1-4). We know that in many aspects He was equal with God (Phil. 2:6). We know that He left heaven to come to earth like all of us have done (Phil. 2:8). Then He died on the cross for us. (Phil. 2:8). Yet, with all this information available to us, some still do not have room for Jesus.

    Those who want to teach salvation according to man’s desires and expectations have no room for Jesus. Jesus included His blood and baptism in the plan of salvation. He stated that His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28); but He also included baptism in salvation (Mark 16:16). Those who eliminate or minimize baptism have no room for Jesus.

    Those who want to be married many times for many different reasons have no room for Jesus. Jesus was asked a question: “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” (Matt. 19:3 ASV) This question was based on some of the teachings of certain Jewish rabbis who said it was okay. This question was asked by Jews. It addressed an issue the Jews had dealt with for many years. Jesus took them back to the beginning of God’s plan for marriage. (Matt. 19:4; 19:8) Jesus does allow one reason (Matt. 19:9). But God’s desire and Jesus’ point is that one man should be married to one woman for life. Those who cannot accept this teaching have no room for Jesus.

    Those who hate others have no room for Jesus. The world is full of prejudice and hate. Jesus preached a message of love to those who hated. He told the Jews to love their enemies (Matt. 5:45). His Golden Rule message of Matt. 7:12 commands that we should treat others like we want to be treated. In our day of intolerance and hate in many circles, there is no room for Jesus.

    Do you have room for Jesus? He wants you to take up your cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). He may want you to give up family to follow Him (Matt. 10:34). Hopefully we all have room for Jesus.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/