Luke 2 Devotional

A Pouch For The Messiah

Many men still wear on the island of Crete the age-old Moslem costume, the trousers of which, while tight-fitting below the knee, are quite voluminous and have a large pouch in front. According to Mohammedan tradition, the original purpose of the pouch was to accommodate the promised Messiah who is to be born of man. Unlike the people of Bethlehem, they prepared room for the Messiah.

Luke 2:4-7 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The City Was Full

Verse 7 tells us that there was no room in the Inn. The Son of God had left the ivory palaces of heaven to come and dwell with His creation. How was he received by the people of Bethlehem? They had no room for Him in the Inn. That might seem like a normal problem. After all the city was over booked. But it runs far deeper than that. When Jesus came to earth people were so busy with their own plans that they had no time or room for the King of glory.

You might say that's true, but surely things changed later on. No it didn't change when Jesus grew up either. When He presented Himself to the nation as their King, their Messiah they said we will not have this man to rule over us. All through out human history mankind hasn't had room for Jesus in their hearts. Of course there are always exceptions like Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, Simeon and Anna. There has always been a faithful remnant looking for the Messiah to come.

Application

Do you have any room in your heart for Jesus the King of Glory? Will He be a welcome guest in your home this Christmas. Or will He be forced to go elsewhere. Mary had room in her heart for Jesus. She believed God and obeyed Him. Luke 2:15-19 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Mary gives us a good example to follow. Even though she didn't understand the significance of all that was foretold about Jesus she stored these things in her heart. Will you make room in your heart for Jesus this Christmas? Will you give the Saviour His rightful place of worship Him as the shepherds and the wise men did? Will you submit to the King of Glory? O, please don't allow the tinsel and the feasting to steal your affections away from the greatest Christmas gift of all, Jesus Christ, God's unspeakable gift!

Luke 2:4-7