Is There Room For Him?

Is There Room for Him?
by Don Vess

Luke 2:1-6 NLT- At that time the Roman Emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6 And while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for Him.

The people of Israel had been waiting for Messiah to come. Had they known that Jesus was the One, thing would have been very different. A special room would have been set aside for Him. The red carpet would have been rolled out. All the dignitaries and governmental officials would have made sure that they were in Bethlehem to welcome Him. But instead, there was no room available for Him. Isaiah had prophesied this about Him: Isa. 7:14 Look! A virgin shall conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

John had this to say about His arrival: John 1:1, 10-14 NLT- In the beginning (where else do we see this phrase?

Gen. 1:1 In the beginning GOD…) the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the word WAS God. 10 He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. 11 He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. 12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

In the midst of all that is transpiring in our world around us, its easy to lose focus on what is most important. It is imperative that we keep our hearts clean with an ear fixed ready to hear the trumpet of God and the voice of the archangel (1 Thess. 416). Don’t let the world crowd out the room in your heart! Keep Christ at the center. Heb. 9:27-28 NLT- And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes the judgement. 28 So also Christ died once and for all as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who ARE EAGERLY WAITING FOR HIM.

I believe that one of the reasons the Lord told us to have regular communion observances is so that we will always have a clean heart and mind and keep our hearts ready for Him. For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27  So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.  28  Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.  29  For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.  30  That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  31  But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

When we discern the Lord’s body and blood, we are recognizing the efficacy of His life and sacrifice. God gave the greatest gift the world could ever receive, the gift of His only begotten Son (Jn. 3:16:17 KJV). Have you made room in your heart for Him?

If you partake in communion today take time to prepare by reflection and retrospection. Also see it as an opportunity for confession unto the Lord to make your heart free from any burdens and faults.