No room for Jesus

Luke 2:7 LSB

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

There is an old saying: “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”

The problem we often face when putting everything in it’s proper place is limited occupancy. When space is limited, something must be relocated, or something must be refused.

We don’t know the full backstory in Luke 2. We can assume that every inn and guest room was full because of the census. We could make the case that the business owner put profit over Jesus, but the truth is likely simpler: he didn’t understand Who Jesus was. Because there was no room, Christ was born in the stable among the livestock.

The primary purpose of livestock is work, not affection. You may have affection for your livestock, but their true value is their usefulness.

Unfortunately, this is the place many have for Jesus. He is kept in the stable—to be used only as needed.

We see this pattern continue in John 1:11 (LSB):

John 1:11 LSB

11 He came to what was His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

Jesus came to His own country and His own countrymen, and they rejected Him. Why? Because of their religious traditions. They expected a glorious King, not a humble Servant.

But beauty is found in the next verse, John 1:12 (LSB):

John 1:12 LSB

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Finally, we see an example of a Church with no room for Jesus in Revelation 3:14–22.

Revelation 3:14–22 LSB

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: This is what the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked. 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be manifested; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 ‘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. 21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Christ should not have to stand outside of His own Church, knocking and asking for a place! He should be at the Head of the table. He wants to come in and dine with us—at His table.

In this moment, I ask all of you to examine yourselves. (Do not examine anyone else!)

Is Christ in your guest room in a place of honor?

Or is He among the livestock, waiting until He is needed?

Are you following Christ, or merely a religious tradition?

Is He truly seated at the Head of the table in His Church?

This bread represents His body—broken for you. This bread also represents His Church—one loaf, but many members. And this cup represents His Blood- The price paid to redeem us from the curse of sin, and bring us into communion with Almighty God!

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 LSB

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was being betrayed took bread, 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.

At this time, I invite all of the Baptized believers to partake of the Lord’s Table. Starting at the front pew, please come down the center isle and take of the table. As you return to your seat, please turn on your candle. Once everyone is seated, we will sing Silent Night together by candlelight.

Instructions for cmmunion.

Come down middle isle, take communion at the table, and return to your seat in the side isle.

Then turn on candle at when you return to the seat to sing silent night.