There was no room for them in the inn (verse 7).
Rejection was to be the story of Jesus' life.
1. NO ROOM, SAID THE *PEOPLE*
a. Because of the poverty of the parents.
Not rich enough to hire themselves a room against the competition.
b. Because of the obduracy of the people.
Treating an expectant mother like a cow! "He came to His own (home), and His
own people received Him not" (John 1:11).
2. NO ROOM, SAID THE *CHURCH*
a. The Pharisees rejected Him.
They tried to stone Him after Synagogue service; tried to trap Him in His
talk; eventually arranged His crucifixion.
b. The Sadducees rejected Him.
They objected to His preaching the Resurrection. They controlled the Sanhedrim
who condemned Him to death. "He came to His own (church), and His own people
received Him not".
3. NO ROOM, SAID THE *STATE*
a. Herod the King rejected Him.
Herod was not a Jew but an Edomite, descended from Esau not from Jacob. He had
already killed two of his own sons whom he thought were plotting a coup. A
Child born King of the Jews was a real threat to his dynasty. What are a few
dozen Bethlehem innocents?
b. Pilate the Governor rejected Him.
Pilate gave in rather than risk a 'demo' and a riot in Jerusalem. "He came to
His own (country), and His own received Him not. But to all who received Him,
who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God..." (John
1:11-12).
The message of the Christchild is (1) Good News; (2) of Great Joy; (3) to
All People (verse 10). In Multifaith Britain there is 'no room' for an
exclusive Sole Saviour of Souls; there is 'no room' for Jesus. Yet he came not
to be the Saviour of the Jews, but to be the Saviour of the World. He is the
Gentiles' Saviour. Let us not be so politically correct this Christmas, but be
like the shepherds, and "make known what has been told *us* concerning this
Child" (verse 17).
___________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick BA CF, and Mrs Joanna (Goodwin) Crick
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
