In the dusty streets weary travelers were entering the town of Bethlehem. Among them were Joseph and his new wife Mary who was soon to give birth to Jesus. It had been an uncomfortably long journey. Fatigued, all they longed to do was find a place of rest. Joseph inquired about accommodation for them. The response was the same everywhere: No room, no vacancy. Finally at the end of a long day they found room in a stable. The owner unwillingly gave in to Joseph’s persistence. Here, in this stable Jesus was born.

What if the innkeeper knew Who was about to be born in his stable? Would he still insist at them using that stable for the birth or would he somehow find room for Jesus in his own home? I think he would. Isn’t that how so many people live their lives today?

Some people have no room for Jesus, period. They do not give Him even one thought whatsoever. We read in Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads oh ye gates, and be lifted up you everlasting doors that the King of Glory may come in. Who is the king of glory, the Lord strong and mighty! Do not slam the door on Jesus. Just like that fateful night in Bethlehem He is still on a quest to find room. This time not for Him to be born into the kingdom of this world, but for us to be born into the kingdom of our God. In Rev. 3:20 He says: “Behold I stand at the door and I knock. If anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and I will eat with him, and he will eat with Me.”

Some people relegate the presence of the King of king to some obscure corner of their lives. They ask Him to occupy the stable or out building just in case they might need Him. They do not treat Him as the royalty that He is but rather like a poor welfare case that make them feel like they did God a favor for allowing Him some small portion of their lives. Can I ask you will you make room for Jesus? Do not sideline Him in your life. Invite Him into your inner sanctum. Welcome Him in your kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. Show Him the pantry; enjoy a meal with Him in your dining room. Unlock the door to your basement or attic. Give Him full access.

This is a busy season. We all have so many things to do, so much to accomplish but do not let your business shut out the Savior. During this recession many people carry concerns and mull over problems, trying to find solutions. Some relationships are strained with families stretched to the brink of breaking. Lives are choc full of stuff, but please find room for Jesus. Is there room for Jesus in your business, in your problems, in your celebrations, in your crying and laughter? We read in Matt. 8:20: And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.

It is interesting to me that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for Jesus to be born because of a census. Caesar ordered that every person be registered in his own city. It is during this busy season of human stocktaking that Jesus entered the world. I believe we are entering a season of spiritual stocktaking. We must rise up to be counted. What is happening in your life that is worth keeping? What should be discarded? What should be repaired or updated? Take stock of your life today. There is no better time to make room for the Savior on a whole new level. How much room are you giving Jesus? Place Him in the center of your life and not in the stable. Peter told the people in Jerusalem in Acts 2:23-24: “This Jesus, when delivered up according to the settled plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and put Him out of the way by the hands of lawless and wicked men. But God raised Him up, liberating Him from the pangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to be controlled or retained by it.”

These folks had no room for Jesus in their lives. They’d rather have Barabbas than Jesus. They put the King of kings out of the way, shouting: crucify Him. Now, 10 days after Jesus ascended to Heaven, Peter told them that they could still be redeemed. Their previous mistakes and sinfulness can be erased. They said:  What should we do? Peter answered in Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Do not allow your past mistakes and sins to disqualify you from making room for Jesus in your life. It is not too late. The Bible says: “Confess your sins for He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness.” It is His blood that will cleanse you of all sin. Apply His love to all the areas of your life. 

Another fact in this amazing story is that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” There is no better place for the Bread of Life to be born than in the house of bread. Yes, Jesus identified Himself as the Bread of Life. Bethlehem became the bakery that brought forth the Bread that can give eternal life. Wow! When we make room for the Lord in our lives we too will become bakeries that will make the fresh Bread of life available to all who are hungry around us. Have you ever smelled the smell of fresh baked bread? When Sharon and I were newlyweds we lived in an apartment in South Africa above a bakery. Every morning we would wake up at the smell of freshly baked bread. It was our beckoning call. That smell was simply irresistible. I would run down to the store to get some of that fresh bread hot from the oven. We enjoyed that bread along with hundreds of people driven by the same love for freshly baked bread. That’s Jesus for you. He is always fresh, His message is never stale. His love is hot, His salvation fulfilling and satisfying. Make room for Him in your life. You’ll be able to eat of the fresh bread of life and have enough to entice others to eat and be satisfied as well.

I often wonder what the innkeeper of Bethlehem did 30 years later when he heard about the ministry of Jesus. The Bible is clear that word about Jesus and the many miracles He performed spread throughout the land. The innkeeper did not make room for Jesus yet Jesus found room in countless lives He touched and ministered to. I’m sure if the innkeeper had another change, he would have welcomed Jesus into his house, making room for the Savior. 

Remember we are the innkeepers of our hearts. In this season, let us make room for Jesus no matter the extent to which our lives are occupied. Always reserve the best room for Him. Better yet, make Him the Innkeeper of your life. Let Him determine who and what occupy every area of your life.