It was almost as if someone
had dragged a stick though the sand drawing a line that said this was then and
this is now. There has never been an
event in the history of man that has so defined human history as the birth of
Jesus.
had dragged a stick though the sand drawing a line that said this was then and
this is now. There has never been an
event in the history of man that has so defined human history as the birth of
Jesus.
That single solitary event
has shaped the world like no other event.
It has shaped how the world is viewed and how people are viewed. This month, in most countries in the world,
literally billions of people will gather to celebrate, to various degrees, the
symbolic birth date of a child who was born to an unknown couple in an obscure
village over 2000 years ago.
has shaped the world like no other event.
It has shaped how the world is viewed and how people are viewed. This month, in most countries in the world,
literally billions of people will gather to celebrate, to various degrees, the
symbolic birth date of a child who was born to an unknown couple in an obscure
village over 2000 years ago.
His birth shaped and molded
the culture of countries that were unknown to the people of Bethlehem 2000
years ago. Canada and the US are what
they are today because a baby was born in a stable two millennium ago. Even
most of those who deny the existence of the Jesus will in some way take the
time to commemorate his birth on December 25th, even if it’s only by
taking a day off work and eating turkey. You don’t see Atheists jumping up and down
demanding to not have Christmas day off.
And if they offer to work because they don’t “Believe” in Christmas they
gladly accept the time and a half they will be paid for working on the Christmas
they don’t believe in.
the culture of countries that were unknown to the people of Bethlehem 2000
years ago. Canada and the US are what
they are today because a baby was born in a stable two millennium ago. Even
most of those who deny the existence of the Jesus will in some way take the
time to commemorate his birth on December 25th, even if it’s only by
taking a day off work and eating turkey. You don’t see Atheists jumping up and down
demanding to not have Christmas day off.
And if they offer to work because they don’t “Believe” in Christmas they
gladly accept the time and a half they will be paid for working on the Christmas
they don’t believe in.
When we use phrases like “the
prodigal son” “turn the other cheek” and “The blind leading the blind” we are
quoting the one who was born that day two thousand years ago. When we espouse values like “Do unto others” and
speak of the “Golden Rule” we are sharing the teaching of the Christ Child. And as I have said before every time we write
the date, even without adding the AD, Anno Domini, we are saying this happened
this number of years since Jesus was born.
prodigal son” “turn the other cheek” and “The blind leading the blind” we are
quoting the one who was born that day two thousand years ago. When we espouse values like “Do unto others” and
speak of the “Golden Rule” we are sharing the teaching of the Christ Child. And as I have said before every time we write
the date, even without adding the AD, Anno Domini, we are saying this happened
this number of years since Jesus was born.
And that line in time wasn’t
just drawn at any time, it was drawn at just the right time, Paul writes in Galatians 4:4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, subject to the law. The
right time? There are all kinds of
reasons why the time that Jesus was born was the right time.
just drawn at any time, it was drawn at just the right time, Paul writes in Galatians 4:4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, subject to the law. The
right time? There are all kinds of
reasons why the time that Jesus was born was the right time.
God could have chosen any
time in the scope of history for his Son to come to earth and for the church to
be birth, and he chose a specific spot on the time line of history.
time in the scope of history for his Son to come to earth and for the church to
be birth, and he chose a specific spot on the time line of history.
According to historians
there was no better time for the church to flourish than the two hundred year
juncture of history known as The Pax Romana, the Roman Peach. New Testament Scholar and Historian E. J. Goodspeed
notes: “This was the pax Romana. The provincial under Roman sway found himself in
a position to conduct his business, provide for his family, send his letters,
and make his journeys in security, thanks to the strong hand of Rome.”
there was no better time for the church to flourish than the two hundred year
juncture of history known as The Pax Romana, the Roman Peach. New Testament Scholar and Historian E. J. Goodspeed
notes: “This was the pax Romana. The provincial under Roman sway found himself in
a position to conduct his business, provide for his family, send his letters,
and make his journeys in security, thanks to the strong hand of Rome.”
The Roman Peace had spread
across the known world, providing one of the few windows of opportunities for
the land and sea to be travelled safely without the threat of warring factions.
For the first time roadways connected points across the known world.
across the known world, providing one of the few windows of opportunities for
the land and sea to be travelled safely without the threat of warring factions.
For the first time roadways connected points across the known world.
But it went beyond simple
transportation and incorporated communication as well. Instead of having to learn a multitude of
languages and dialects it was only necessary to know one. Greek was the common language, a reminder of
Alexander’s conquests, allowing the written word to be sent to encourage and
correct the growing churches in diverse cultures.
transportation and incorporated communication as well. Instead of having to learn a multitude of
languages and dialects it was only necessary to know one. Greek was the common language, a reminder of
Alexander’s conquests, allowing the written word to be sent to encourage and
correct the growing churches in diverse cultures.
It was not a coincidence
that the Creator chose this point in time to interrupt history it was no
accident that Christianity came when it did. The birth of Christ didn’t happen
on a whim.
that the Creator chose this point in time to interrupt history it was no
accident that Christianity came when it did. The birth of Christ didn’t happen
on a whim.
Last
week we looked at the line that was created for Mary and Joseph, how when they
accepted the challenge that was given them regarding the birth of Jesus that
their lives changed radically. And it
was a choice, God wouldn’t have forced them to say yes to what was being
proposed, last Sunday after the service someone pondered if perhaps there was
another “Mary” in the wings in case the first one said “no”. But Mary didn’t say no, instead in complete
trust and in spite of all the obstacles she would face we read the words of
Mary in Luke 1:38 Mary
responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come
true.”
week we looked at the line that was created for Mary and Joseph, how when they
accepted the challenge that was given them regarding the birth of Jesus that
their lives changed radically. And it
was a choice, God wouldn’t have forced them to say yes to what was being
proposed, last Sunday after the service someone pondered if perhaps there was
another “Mary” in the wings in case the first one said “no”. But Mary didn’t say no, instead in complete
trust and in spite of all the obstacles she would face we read the words of
Mary in Luke 1:38 Mary
responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come
true.”
And it was almost as if
someone had dragged a stick though the sand drawing a line that said this was
then and this is now.
someone had dragged a stick though the sand drawing a line that said this was
then and this is now.
At the heart
of this story we discover humanity divided into two groups, and those two
groups exist today and each one of us belongs to one of those two groups. Don’t you love it when something can be
reduced to the very basics? There are
not a hundred choices from which we have to choose, not fifty or even twenty or
ten. Just two.
of this story we discover humanity divided into two groups, and those two
groups exist today and each one of us belongs to one of those two groups. Don’t you love it when something can be
reduced to the very basics? There are
not a hundred choices from which we have to choose, not fifty or even twenty or
ten. Just two.
And so the
first group we become acquainted with Those
who said “No” To Jesus. I suppose
there is an honour of sorts to be the first person to reject Christ.
first group we become acquainted with Those
who said “No” To Jesus. I suppose
there is an honour of sorts to be the first person to reject Christ.
The innkeeper
is really the first villain in the story.
I mean what type of person would turn away a pregnant lady who was as
the King James Version puts it was “Great with Child”? That’s the polite way of
saying that Mary was a big as a house.
is really the first villain in the story.
I mean what type of person would turn away a pregnant lady who was as
the King James Version puts it was “Great with Child”? That’s the polite way of
saying that Mary was a big as a house.
We often
think of the Inn with a big no vacancy sign flashing in the window, but it
wasn’t that there wasn’t room in the inn, that isn’t what the scripture says. Listen again to Luke’s account, Luke
2:6-7 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She
gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth
and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
think of the Inn with a big no vacancy sign flashing in the window, but it
wasn’t that there wasn’t room in the inn, that isn’t what the scripture says. Listen again to Luke’s account, Luke
2:6-7 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She
gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth
and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Did you catch
that? The bible doesn’t tell us that
there was no lodging available, what it does tell us is that there wasn’t any
lodging available in the inn for them, and there is a difference
that? The bible doesn’t tell us that
there was no lodging available, what it does tell us is that there wasn’t any
lodging available in the inn for them, and there is a difference
If we take
that to its logical conclusion the assumption is that while there wasn’t lodging
for them there was lodging for others.
that to its logical conclusion the assumption is that while there wasn’t lodging
for them there was lodging for others.
Perhaps the
innkeeper was keeping the room in case he received a better offer, maybe he
knew that as more and more people arrived in Bethlehem for the census that any
vacant rooms would become a commodity.
You think how pricey even the most modest of rooms become when there is
a special event in town, in just a couple of months the price of a room in
Sochi Russia will skyrocket when the Olympics arrive. And so perhaps the Innkeeper was just hedging
his bets, it wasn’t a personal decision, just an economic one.
innkeeper was keeping the room in case he received a better offer, maybe he
knew that as more and more people arrived in Bethlehem for the census that any
vacant rooms would become a commodity.
You think how pricey even the most modest of rooms become when there is
a special event in town, in just a couple of months the price of a room in
Sochi Russia will skyrocket when the Olympics arrive. And so perhaps the Innkeeper was just hedging
his bets, it wasn’t a personal decision, just an economic one.
And it wasn’t
that they were asking for the room for nothing.
Again we often mix up tradition with actual facts. We have been conditioned from years of
Christmas specials and Christmas cards to perceive the home that Christ was
born into was one of poverty, and that probably wasn’t the case.
that they were asking for the room for nothing.
Again we often mix up tradition with actual facts. We have been conditioned from years of
Christmas specials and Christmas cards to perceive the home that Christ was
born into was one of poverty, and that probably wasn’t the case.
Joseph wasn’t
poor, he was a carpenter, a tradesman, he wouldn’t have been wealthy but I’m
sure that he wouldn’t have been considered destitute in that day and age. I’m sure that when Joseph gathered up Mary
and headed for Bethlehem he probably came prepared they weren’t looking for
charity. But perhaps greed on the innkeeper’s
part meant that the room was priced well out of their reach.
poor, he was a carpenter, a tradesman, he wouldn’t have been wealthy but I’m
sure that he wouldn’t have been considered destitute in that day and age. I’m sure that when Joseph gathered up Mary
and headed for Bethlehem he probably came prepared they weren’t looking for
charity. But perhaps greed on the innkeeper’s
part meant that the room was priced well out of their reach.
And as
unfortunate as they may have been at least it would have simply been a business
decision in contrast to the other option.
unfortunate as they may have been at least it would have simply been a business
decision in contrast to the other option.
Maybe he just
didn’t want their type there, maybe he has something again people from
Nazareth. “Sorry we don’t have room for
you people.”
didn’t want their type there, maybe he has something again people from
Nazareth. “Sorry we don’t have room for
you people.”
Were they “You peoples”? Apparently for some folks they were. Do you
remember the story found in the first chapter of John’s gospel when the
apostles were first gathering around Jesus?
The story is found in John 1:45 – 46.
We actually referenced it last week as well, John 1:45-46 Philip
went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses
and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from
Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
remember the story found in the first chapter of John’s gospel when the
apostles were first gathering around Jesus?
The story is found in John 1:45 – 46.
We actually referenced it last week as well, John 1:45-46 Philip
went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses
and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from
Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
So perhaps
the innkeeper just didn’t like folks from Nazareth. You might be wondering how he knew where they
were from. There is a hint found a life
time later when Jesus has been arrested, you might recall that Peter is warming
himself outside of where Jesus was being questioned and he finds himself being
accused of being one of Christ’s followers.
A charge he denies, and then we read this Matthew
26:73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said,
“You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
the innkeeper just didn’t like folks from Nazareth. You might be wondering how he knew where they
were from. There is a hint found a life
time later when Jesus has been arrested, you might recall that Peter is warming
himself outside of where Jesus was being questioned and he finds himself being
accused of being one of Christ’s followers.
A charge he denies, and then we read this Matthew
26:73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said,
“You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
Peter was
from the same area as Joseph and Mary and ultimately Jesus. Never actually think of Jesus having an
accent do we? From the movies we assume
that if Jesus had an accent it was either British or American. That was what we technically refer to in
preaching as a tangent.
from the same area as Joseph and Mary and ultimately Jesus. Never actually think of Jesus having an
accent do we? From the movies we assume
that if Jesus had an accent it was either British or American. That was what we technically refer to in
preaching as a tangent.
Or maybe they
just didn’t want a lady who was obviously about to go into labour in one of
their rooms, there was the entire “plenty of hot water and clean sheets” thing,
the potential for a mess and not to mention all the screaming that might
disturb other guests, transitional labour is nothing to laugh at. And Mary couldn’t even yell at Joseph, “You
will never touch me again”.
just didn’t want a lady who was obviously about to go into labour in one of
their rooms, there was the entire “plenty of hot water and clean sheets” thing,
the potential for a mess and not to mention all the screaming that might
disturb other guests, transitional labour is nothing to laugh at. And Mary couldn’t even yell at Joseph, “You
will never touch me again”.
We don’t know
why there was no room for them in the inn but we do know is that the innkeeper
would not be the last person to reject Christ.
And today when Jesus is rejected it’s just like at the inn it’s not
because there is no room in the person’s life instead there is no room for Christ
in their life.
why there was no room for them in the inn but we do know is that the innkeeper
would not be the last person to reject Christ.
And today when Jesus is rejected it’s just like at the inn it’s not
because there is no room in the person’s life instead there is no room for Christ
in their life.
There’s room
for all kinds of things, career, family, habits, ambition and maybe even
religion but not for Jesus.
for all kinds of things, career, family, habits, ambition and maybe even
religion but not for Jesus.
And sometimes
it’s because a person really doesn’t want to pay the cost, and sometimes they
are hoping a better offer will come along and sometimes they are just playing a
long shot that they can live like hell and still make it into heaven.
it’s because a person really doesn’t want to pay the cost, and sometimes they
are hoping a better offer will come along and sometimes they are just playing a
long shot that they can live like hell and still make it into heaven.
And there are others who don’t simply say no and turn their back on
Christ but are vehemently opposed to all he teaches and all he stands for.
Christ but are vehemently opposed to all he teaches and all he stands for.
The first Christmas that person was represented by King Herod,
who wasn’t really a King but was kind of a puppet Governor whom the Romans let
rule over a small portion of Palestine.
But it was his portion of Palestine and he was insanely suspicious, with
the emphasis on the insane part of that statement, suspicious of those he
thought were a threat to his rule.
History tells us that he had his wife, mother in law and two sons
murdered because he thought they were trying to oust him, and maybe they were
but it was Caesar himself who commented “It is safer to be Herod’s pig than his son.” Which
was a lot more poetic in the Greek where the word for Pig was Hus and for Son
was Huios. And so when he heard of the
birth of the one who would be the Messiah he asked the Magi to let him know
where he could find the child.
who wasn’t really a King but was kind of a puppet Governor whom the Romans let
rule over a small portion of Palestine.
But it was his portion of Palestine and he was insanely suspicious, with
the emphasis on the insane part of that statement, suspicious of those he
thought were a threat to his rule.
History tells us that he had his wife, mother in law and two sons
murdered because he thought they were trying to oust him, and maybe they were
but it was Caesar himself who commented “It is safer to be Herod’s pig than his son.” Which
was a lot more poetic in the Greek where the word for Pig was Hus and for Son
was Huios. And so when he heard of the
birth of the one who would be the Messiah he asked the Magi to let him know
where he could find the child.
Instead after being warned in a dream they skipped Jerusalem on the way
home, and the horror of the Christmas story is
revealed in where we read Matthew 2:16 Herod
was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him.
home, and the horror of the Christmas story is
revealed in where we read Matthew 2:16 Herod
was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him.
Herod
sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years
old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first
appearance. Some people wonder why genocide
like this wouldn’t be mentioned in history.
Well, remember that at the time Bethlehem probably had a population of
no more than 2000, less than half the population of Kingswood. So we are probably talking the death of 25 or
30 children tops. In a time when murder
and unrighteousness was so wide spread the only people who would have been
outraged at this tragedy would have been the families.
And so there are those who aren’t content to say “no” to Jesus but
they are evangelistic in their desire that nobody else will say “yes” either.
they are evangelistic in their desire that nobody else will say “yes” either.
But along
with those who said no to Jesus there were also Those who said “Yes” To Jesus
with those who said no to Jesus there were also Those who said “Yes” To Jesus
When we read the Christmas story we
often focus on the fact that there was no room in the inn, however there was
room in the stable. And the stable did
belong to somebody, and that somebody allowed Mary and Joseph to move in,
perhaps just for the night, maybe longer.
We don’t know how long they stayed in the stable. Long enough for Jesus to be born, long enough
for the shepherds to visit, but apparently they moved out before the Magi got
there because Matthew tells us in his account that the Magi visited the child
in a house.
often focus on the fact that there was no room in the inn, however there was
room in the stable. And the stable did
belong to somebody, and that somebody allowed Mary and Joseph to move in,
perhaps just for the night, maybe longer.
We don’t know how long they stayed in the stable. Long enough for Jesus to be born, long enough
for the shepherds to visit, but apparently they moved out before the Magi got
there because Matthew tells us in his account that the Magi visited the child
in a house.
You gotta
figure that at some point a woman became involved. “You put her where?” “Well you march yourself right out there and
invite them in while I get the spare room ready.”
figure that at some point a woman became involved. “You put her where?” “Well you march yourself right out there and
invite them in while I get the spare room ready.”
A couple of
things, the offer of the stable would have been commendable if that was all
they had. Seriously, if whoever owned it said “I don’t have room anywhere else
but there is the stable.” And they went out and prepared it and cleaned it up
and made Mary and Joseph comfortable.
things, the offer of the stable would have been commendable if that was all
they had. Seriously, if whoever owned it said “I don’t have room anywhere else
but there is the stable.” And they went out and prepared it and cleaned it up
and made Mary and Joseph comfortable.
But it would
have been a different kettle of fish if they had something better and all they
offered was the stable. That would have
been a completely different story and it would have had to do with motives.
have been a different kettle of fish if they had something better and all they
offered was the stable. That would have
been a completely different story and it would have had to do with motives.
Christ
explains the same principle in a very familiar story found in the gospel of
Mark, perhaps you are familiar with the story, Jesus is standing at the back of
the temple next to the offering box and a widow drops in two small coins and we
pick up the story in Mark
12:43-44 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the
truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making
contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she
is, has given everything she had to live on.”
explains the same principle in a very familiar story found in the gospel of
Mark, perhaps you are familiar with the story, Jesus is standing at the back of
the temple next to the offering box and a widow drops in two small coins and we
pick up the story in Mark
12:43-44 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the
truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making
contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she
is, has given everything she had to live on.”
It’s the same
in our lives the same gift can be given and for one person it is a sacrifice
and for another it is just a bauble. When
we were preparing to build this building the theme of our capital campaign was
“Not equal giving but equal sacrifice” and that is still what we are called to
do today.
in our lives the same gift can be given and for one person it is a sacrifice
and for another it is just a bauble. When
we were preparing to build this building the theme of our capital campaign was
“Not equal giving but equal sacrifice” and that is still what we are called to
do today.
Regardless of
why Jesus and his family ended up in the stable it did serve a couple of
purposes. And again it is wise to
remember Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
why Jesus and his family ended up in the stable it did serve a couple of
purposes. And again it is wise to
remember Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
If you
remember the story, the first people invited to come to Jesus were the
shepherds and we have to assume that they would have felt a lot more
comfortable and felt a lot more welcome coming to a stable than coming into an
inn or a private home.
remember the story, the first people invited to come to Jesus were the
shepherds and we have to assume that they would have felt a lot more
comfortable and felt a lot more welcome coming to a stable than coming into an
inn or a private home.
“Mort, there
are a bunch of shepherds at the door; they say they’re here to see the baby.” And I’m sure that whoever said that would
have sounded like Howard’s Mother. And
not only that but how inconsiderate would it have been for God to have brought
a bunch of shepherds into someone’s house with all of the mess and
inconvenience that would have involved.
are a bunch of shepherds at the door; they say they’re here to see the baby.” And I’m sure that whoever said that would
have sounded like Howard’s Mother. And
not only that but how inconsiderate would it have been for God to have brought
a bunch of shepherds into someone’s house with all of the mess and
inconvenience that would have involved.
The shepherds
were apparently an important part of the Christmas story, and God made it easy
for them to take part.
were apparently an important part of the Christmas story, and God made it easy
for them to take part.
I think the story
of the first Christmas is all about the fact that Jesus is accessible to all
people. There is something about his
humble birth that says, He is there for all of us.
of the first Christmas is all about the fact that Jesus is accessible to all
people. There is something about his
humble birth that says, He is there for all of us.
Often, not
always but often, those born to a privileged life never understand those who
are less fortunate than they are, even if their fortune was an accident of
birth. We all remember Marie Antoinette’s comment when she was told that
the peasants were upset because they had no bread, “If
they have no bread than let them eat cake.”
always but often, those born to a privileged life never understand those who
are less fortunate than they are, even if their fortune was an accident of
birth. We all remember Marie Antoinette’s comment when she was told that
the peasants were upset because they had no bread, “If
they have no bread than let them eat cake.”
Actually if
you go a little deeper you discover that when that comment was first reported
Marie Antoinette was 10 years old and living in Austria, and while we don’t
know for sure who said it historians feel that is was probably Maria Therese of
Spain the wife of King Louise XIV of France.
That was free, just another one of those educational services that Cornerstone
provides.
you go a little deeper you discover that when that comment was first reported
Marie Antoinette was 10 years old and living in Austria, and while we don’t
know for sure who said it historians feel that is was probably Maria Therese of
Spain the wife of King Louise XIV of France.
That was free, just another one of those educational services that Cornerstone
provides.
And so Christ
began his life not at the top of the economic and social ladder but at the
bottom.
began his life not at the top of the economic and social ladder but at the
bottom.
But it wasn’t only the shepherds who came to worship Jesus that first
Christmas, The Magi Showed up as
well.
Matthew 2:1-11 Records the story of the wise men, and we really don’t
know much about them at all, but we do know that their belief cost them
something. We don’t know where they came
from, how long they had been travelling, how many there were or where they went
afterwards. They glide into the story,
present their gifts and then just as quietly they disappear.
Christmas, The Magi Showed up as
well.
Matthew 2:1-11 Records the story of the wise men, and we really don’t
know much about them at all, but we do know that their belief cost them
something. We don’t know where they came
from, how long they had been travelling, how many there were or where they went
afterwards. They glide into the story,
present their gifts and then just as quietly they disappear.
If we listen to tradition we can learn all
about them, their numbers were three, they were kings, and tradition even knows
their names, their ages and what they looked like. And if we were to choose to pay the fee we
could even see their bones in the shrine behind the high altar in the Cathedral
in Cologne Germany. But of course those are just traditions.
about them, their numbers were three, they were kings, and tradition even knows
their names, their ages and what they looked like. And if we were to choose to pay the fee we
could even see their bones in the shrine behind the high altar in the Cathedral
in Cologne Germany. But of course those are just traditions.
However little that we know of the wise men
we do know that they came from a great distance bearing their gifts of
love. They brought Gold, frankincense
and myrrh, but greater than any of those gifts was the fact that they brought
themselves.
we do know that they came from a great distance bearing their gifts of
love. They brought Gold, frankincense
and myrrh, but greater than any of those gifts was the fact that they brought
themselves.
It is
interesting to note and perhaps to ponder on that Christ began his life born in
a stable that belonged to someone else and ended his life buried in a tomb that
belonged to someone else.
interesting to note and perhaps to ponder on that Christ began his life born in
a stable that belonged to someone else and ended his life buried in a tomb that
belonged to someone else.
Let’s end
this morning with a quote from William Barclay who wrote “That there was
no room in the inn was symbolic of what was to happen to Jesus. The only place
where there was room for him was on a cross. He sought an entry to the
over-crowded hearts of men; he could not find it; and still his search–and his
rejection–go on.”
this morning with a quote from William Barclay who wrote “That there was
no room in the inn was symbolic of what was to happen to Jesus. The only place
where there was room for him was on a cross. He sought an entry to the
over-crowded hearts of men; he could not find it; and still his search–and his
rejection–go on.”
And so this
Christmas the question is the same as it was on that first Christmas morning
over 2000 years ago: Will you make room
for Jesus? Will your answer be “Yes” or
“No”? Where will you stand in relation
to that line that was drawn 2000 year ago?
Christmas the question is the same as it was on that first Christmas morning
over 2000 years ago: Will you make room
for Jesus? Will your answer be “Yes” or
“No”? Where will you stand in relation
to that line that was drawn 2000 year ago?