There Are No Inns In Bethlehem

(6 minutes)

During those days, the Roman emperor, Ceasar Augustus, ordered that the first census be taken throughout his empire. (Quirinius was the governor of Syria at that time.) Everyone had to travel to his or her hometown to complete the mandatory census. So Joseph and his fiance, Mary, left Nazareth, a village in Galilee, and journeyed to their hometown in Judea, to the village of Bethlehem, King David's ancient home. They were required to register there, since they were both direct descendants of David. Mary was pregnant and nearly ready to give birth.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. After wrapping the newborn baby in strips of cloth, they laid him in a feeding trough since there was no available space in any upper room in the village. (Luke 2:1-7)

For so long we've imagined that the innkeeper, ignorant of the depth of the story, lost his chance to house the birth of Jesus, the Seed of Hope. But it wasn't some obscure inn that missed the chance of a lifetime. As Pastor Tim told us this past Sunday, there are no inns in Bethlehem. But there were tons of family members and relatives, as Joseph and Mary were both direct descendants of King David and this was David's ancient home. They had a royal lineage and Bethlehem would have been a place filled with family. The scripture says that there was no available space in any upper room in the village. The upper room would have been the guest room in their family's houses. But they were turned away from every single one.

Here we have Joseph and his fiance, Mary, who was pregnant with a child "come from God." Very few people understood. Even more people criticized. The most likely scenario is that Joseph and Mary were rejected by family because of this unbelievably scandalous story.

The greatest gift ever given to humanity was rejected, turned away, and relegated to stay in a stable with the animals because those closest to Joseph and Mary were unable to make room. The birth of the Savior of the world was an interruption to their life, their reputation, and their plans.

Let's ask ourselves the question that Pastor Tim asked us, "It's easy to visit the King at His house once a week, but are we willing to let Him come into our house and have His way?" Can we make room for Him? Is Jesus doing life on our terms or are we doing life intimately joined to Him? Is He still an interruption? Is He still too scandalous to allow in our life?

This Seed of Hope will change everything, but only where He's given access. Mary and Joseph were not kicking down doors. They would have gladly entered into the home which they were invited into. But no one could honor the seed because of what it looked like in the beginning. This is why it's so important that we ask Abba what His thoughts are concerning the matter. Because we might be rejecting something that's of the Kingdom just because it's in seed form. Honor is the respect, care, and love we show for something that hasn't fully matured. And our honor is the key that will bring that seed into maturity.

Jesus knows what it's like to be turned away. He knows what it's like to be rejected by those closest to you. He knows what it's like to be misunderstood. We must see rejection for what it really is: Abba's unwillingness to give pearls to pigs who won't know how to treat them. Pigs are not bad, they just don't care about precious things. They're driven by their appetite and anything that doesn't serve that, no matter how special it is, gets trampled. When you're carrying something this special and people don't want to be a part of it, rejection becomes divine protection against those who wouldn't know how to handle you. It's just a sign that you haven't found your Kingdom family yet. It's not a sign to stop looking and give up. It's Abba being careful with who gets to be joined to you.

Can we honor the Kingdom seeds that Abba has planted in our lives?

Can we honor the immature expressions before we see any fruit come from that seed?

Can we make room for what the King wants to do in our life?

Let's open ourselves up today as we walk with Abba. Let's open up the doors of our hearts to receive the King. He's ready to come in. He's been knocking. Yes, there are areas where we haven't allowed Him to come in because we're afraid of what it might cost us. But did He leave? Did He abandon you? No, the Seed of Hope stayed in the stable since we weren't ready to receive Him. The birth of Jesus is Abba's final word that He's not leaving us or giving up on us. He's willing to wait for as long as it takes. I'm grateful for His patience, aren't you? He really is Perfect Love.

So wake up, you living gateways, and rejoice! Fling wide, you ageless doors of destiny! Here he comes; the King of Glory is ready to come in. (Psalms 24:9)

Behold, I'm standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me. (Revelation 3:20)

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Worship: "Found" by Amanda Cook

Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place

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