The Innkeeper

Sitting at church this weekend something occurred to me after reading Luke 2:6-7. I’ve read it a hundred times, but something was different.

 

“While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

 

Have you ever thought about the innkeeper? What it would have been like to turn Mary, a pregnant woman ready to deliver, away and send them to the stable to give birth and sleep? Sheesh – the social circumstances – kick people out or send Jesus away?

 

We are all managers of an inn- a place where we allow others or things to reside and stay. Just as the innkeeper in Luke – We have a finite number of rooms in our hearts or minds. We have a max capacity. Emotionally. Physically. Financially. Mentally.

What do we put in the available rooms in our inn? Those places we shelter and protect- that we consider valuable. Who do we give the keys to? Are we willing to evaluate who or what holds the keys to the rooms in our hearts and minds on a regular basis?

 

The innkeeper was unwilling to overcome the social dynamics that existed when Mary & Joseph arrived. He couldn’t overcome asking someone to leave to make room for baby Jesus. Would the paying guests understand? Would it offend them? Was it the right thing to do?

 

We do that too. We talk about how full our cups are – how we’re at max capacity, but don’t ask things or people to leave the inn of our hearts or minds to make room for Jesus. We allow social complexities to determine who or what occupies our time, space, and energy.

 

In this Christmas season let’s reevaluate our minds and hearts to sure that Jesus has a room. That he has access to the inn of our hearts and minds.

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bda
  • December 22, 2015 - 11:48 am

    Resa - I love this perspective Chrissy!! I’ve found myself in this situation far too many times, and will hopefully remember this story the next time I’m at max capacity.ReplyCancel

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