No vacancy.

Introduction:

Imagine yourself traveling to a dangerous city and finding that all the hotels have a “No Vacancy” sign; or even worst, a “No Hispanic Admitted” sign. How would you feel?….. What would you do?…..

There was a time when many places had a sign “No Blacks Admitted”

Likewise, many people rejected Jesus. Even as a new-born, he was rejected at the inn.

Read Luke 2:1-14

It should not surprise us that there was no vacancy. Many had come to register themselves in the census ordered by the Caesar.

Although they were born in Bethlehem, they were coming from Nazareth. The Jews saw with suspicion the people from Nazareth. The suspicion was so great that they had a saying, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth.”

When Joseph and Mary arrived at the inn, they found out there was no vacancy for them, all the rooms were taken, or they were told that. Remember that there were no hotels as we know them now. I do not think there was even one with 100 rooms.

The inn keeper could represent the people who did not realize what they were rejecting by rejecting Jesus.

He was the needed Good News.

Luke 2:10 NASB95

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

The good news were news of salvation.

He was bringing salvation to the world.

Luke 2:11 NASB95

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

For at least four hundred years, since the days of the return of the exiles to Jerusalem, they had been waiting for the Messiah.

His name was Jesus (Yeshua), for a reason:

Matthew 1:21 NASB95

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

He came to a lost and needy world to offer what they needed:

Mark 10:45 (NASB95)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Salvation would come through His sacrifice at the cross.

He was also bringing peace...

He was bringing peace to men.

Luke 2:14 NASB95

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

No one can deny that this world needs peace. But, in order to have world peace, man must have peace. Governments may have negotiations and treaties…. But Jesus is the only one who can give that peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NASB95

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Zechariah 6:12–13 NASB95

“Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” ’

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NASB95

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

He was bringing true satisfaction.

Luke 2:4 NASB95

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

The Bread of Heaven was born in the “house of bread” (Beth-lehem). He is the bread that satisfies the soul.

Approximately 750 year before Micah, the prophet, had announced that the insignificant village would be the cradle of the “Bread of Life”.

John 6:33 NASB95

“For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”

John 6:35 NASB95

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

People are still looking for satisfaction in life, but do not find it…

Ilust. I had it all, but no satisfaction

Jesus is the Bread and the Water that truly satisfy the soul.

Unfortunately:

There was no room for Him.

Luke 2:7 NASB95

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

There was no room for Him in the government.

Herod, the Great, tried to kill Him because he considered Jesus as a threat to his kingship…

Pilate crucified Him to avoid risking his position before Caesar and before the people.

For many years, the US government closed its doors to Jesus, until the tragedy struck on Sept 11.

Some people wait for a tragedy to open their heart to the Savior…

There was no room for Him in the schools.

The religious groups, mainly Pharisees and Sadducees, represented the schools of Jesus’ time. They were the main ones to reject the Messiah.

The US did something similar. In 1963, the Supreme Court of the USA declared the mandatory readings of the Bible in public schools was unconstitutional. They waited for the Columbine tragedy to open their doors to Bibles in schools.

There was no room for Him in the families.

Peter, in his second sermon (Acts 3), told the multitudes:

Acts 3:25 NASB95

“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

And,

Acts 3:13–15 NASB95

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. “But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

There was no room for Jesus in their hearts.

Let me ask you, Is there room for Jesus in your heart?

Revelation 3:20 NASB95

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

- Gospel and Invitation.