“…because there was no room…”

These five words in the account of Christ’s birth (Luke 2:1-7 NKJV) give me pause each time that I read them. Though God had a very specific plan for the arrival of our Lord and Savior, I wonder if the inn manager made any attempt to make room for the young mother ready to give birth to the Messiah. I am sure if he had only known the Prince of Peace, future King of Kings was about to enter the world, he would have made room. Or maybe not…

2,000 plus years later we still fail to make room for Jesus in our lives.

No room for Christ in our country…

No room for Christ in our government…

No room for Christ in our schools…

No room for Christ in our workplaces…

No room for Christ in our homes…

No room for Christ in our families…

There’s barely room for Christ in Christmas these days. Sadder still is that many neglect to make room for Him in their hearts as Lord and Savior.

In the parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24), Jesus tells the story of a man who prepared a banquet for many people…not just an ordinary banquet – but a great one. When eveything was ready, the man sent his servant to gather the guests. But like most of us, many of them made excuses as to why they couldn’t come. Instead of shutting the door, the man extended a second invitation – a call to those not on the original guest list, those who others probably didn’t make room for – the sick, the poor, the disabled, the undesireables.

” ‘Sir’, the servant said, ‘What you ordered has been done but there is still room’.” – Luke 14:22 NIV

There is still room.

Jesus is waiting. No longer outside in a manger. No longer in a stone covered tomb, but a resurrected King seated at the right hand of God offering a new life – salvation to all who make room for Him in their hearts. He is waiting to intercede for us if only we would let Him.

When we come to Jesus, He will never turn us away. He has plenty of room and He’s still waiting.

Won’t you make room for Him?