The Original Cast of CHRISTmas: the Inn Keeper

by | Nov 22, 2017 | The Original Cast of CHRISTmas 2017 | 0 comments

TEACHER:  Ken Hicks

SCRIPTURES: Luke 2:1-7

BOTTOM LINE:  It’s so easy to miss the Knock at the Door!

QUESTION: What is standing in the way of experiencing JESUS this CHRISTmas season?

 

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We’re going to walk thru this series for ADVENT called The Original Cast of CHRISTmas, and  take a look at the story of the birth of Jesus thru the eyes of several of the characters in the story.

Think about Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Mary faced some of the craziest of circumstances and challenges, and yet got to experience some of the most incredible of blessings in giving birth to her firstborn Son … the Son of God.

Many of us break out our Nativity Set’s this time of year, and we can name several of the characters.  But there’s also several Cast Members in the Scene that are not on the Mantle!

Luke 2:1-7 … I remember back in Seminary, this was one of those passages where we saw how the translation from the original languages can change the perception in what we read. The actual Greek translation of what Luke says here said There was not an APPROPRIATE place in the inn … rather than there was NO room in the Inn.

A crazy busy census is taking place, and people have come from the north, south, east & west to Bethlehem to be counted by the Roman Governor.

The INN’S … let’s just say they were not the Holiday Inn for sure!   They weren’t a place w/ Heat/AC, hot showers, a pillow top bed, and full breakfast in the morning. The Inn’s of the 1st Century were more like A BAR/EATERY where rooms were available for those who may not be able to make it home when the night was over.

So, when Joseph comes to the door w/ his pregnant wife [during this incredibly busy night] THE INN KEEPER probably didn’t want to deal w/ this too.

When he referred them to the Stable outback, it was probably a way of saying those animals back there are probably a lot safer to be around than the animals in here.

I think about my own life, and how easy is it between all the stress and mess of trying to get the house all decorated inside and out … and all the shopping to get done … getting everything wrapped … then trying to figure out how in the world we’re going to be able to pay for it all.  Not to mention trying to get everything finished at work so we can take a few days off, and the kids are home, so it’s a lot of fun, but Lord knows that can add some additional stress too.

How easy is it for me to not find room for my Savior in my heart & life this time of the year?

APPLICATION:

4 reasons that perhaps the INN KEEPER couldn’t find room for Jesus:

  1. Busy-ness –
  2. Priorities
    1. Money
    2. Selfishness
  3. Stress
  4. Mis-Diagnosis

 

So many things can create Distraction … Stress … Tension … Hurt … and if we’re not careful, January will be here before we know it, and we can miss JESUS along the way.

I know it’s a cliché … but Jesus is the Reason for the Season!