Daily Devotional – I’m Normal.™ I AM Ministries
“To promote Godly living in a culture committed to destroying it”
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
No Room in the Inn
Every traveler has heard those dreaded words: “Sorry, no vacancy. We’re all full for the night.” To be rejected while seeking shelter is a depressing situation when one is traveling, late at night and far from home, especially when you have limited resources to pay for lodging. The uncertainty of one’s situation generates great stress. Where will I stay? How far will I have to drive before I find a place? Will I find a place at all? If I find a place, will it be safe?
Joseph and Mary must have felt these stressful emotions and more, for 2,000 years ago they were told there was no room in the inn. With the imminent birth of their son, the Son of God, they wanted to settle themselves as quickly and as easily as possible. Their situation was bleak, however. They were stranded and humiliated, and Mary was about to give birth. Despite being descendants of King David, they were without inheritance to pay for a decent room. A wealthier couple might have been able to outbid others for accommodations. But Joseph and Mary were poor and had no resources to spare.
If the innkeeper or the inhabitants of the town had displayed the least bit of compassion, someone might have taken pity and put them up elsewhere. Instead, in a culture that, ironically, prided itself on hospitality, a pregnant woman about to give birth was cast into the humiliation of a stable. Had there been any common humanity among the townspeople, they would not have turned her away. But that common decency was absent, and Joseph and Mary’s rejection was part of God’s plan.
Jesus and His Earthly family were humiliated from the very start. He was cast out of the inn. An inn is supposed to be a place of refuge, an oasis for the weary traveler. But even before His actual physical birth here on Earth, Jesus showed us His contempt for worldly glory, comfort, or accolades. He humbled Himself right from birth in order to teach us true humility. Later in life, He became a servant for us, for because of our sin, we are like outcast infants, helpless and forlorn, and destined for death without a savior. In His short time here, He completed the plan of salvation that saves us from eternal darkness.
Jesus’ birth at an inn suggests He was here for just a while, just passing through this Earthly realm. This is a lesson we would do well to remember. As James reminds us in Chapter 4, verse 14, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” And he reminds us that we, as with Jesus Christ, only spend a few short years here on Earth and God expects us to make the most of them.
Joseph and Mary’s desperate circumstances are analogous to our own – without a Savior, there is no room in Heaven for us. We are utterly destitute spiritually because of our sin and have no chance of obtaining a room in the Heavenly mansion Jesus is preparing for us. Unless we call on His name, we are rejected (John 14:2-6). Without Him, we are doomed to eternal separation from God.
Christ is the eternal inn and innkeeper. He welcomes all souls who willingly come to Him. He will not cast you out, for you have been called by the Father (John 6:44). An Earthly inn will refuse you if you have no money. Refusal, however, is not the nature of Jesus Christ. He accepts all comers and welcomes us with unconditional love. He paid the price for our sin.
Our salvation is free of cost. Jesus gives the gift of salvation freely to whomever believes in Him. God gave Jesus to us at Christmas. God also gave the gift of peace on Earth, good will to men. He wants us to be more like Him and give of ourselves unto others all year, not just at Christmas.
It’s normal for God and Jesus to give to us. They have prepared a Heavenly mansion, not just a room, where we can enjoy all eternity. It is normal to want to be with the Father and the Son in Heaven and they have made it easy for us to be there. All we have to do is believe in Christ as our Savior. As Christmas approaches, be normal and give to others: time, money, talents, and whatever else God has shared with you (John 3:27). Make sure there is room in your heart to give back a portion of what He has given to you.
In His love and service,
Jeff Myers
A servant of Jesus Christ
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