Over the past several years, my devotional Scripture study nearest to Christmas has been a look at a particular character associated with the Christmas narrative. In keeping with that, today’s look at the nativity Scripture will focus on one who has sometimes been cast in a negative light as the Christmas account is told, and that is the innkeeper. Let’s take a quick look today at the innkeeper, and see what we can learn from what could have been his story.
As we read the familiar Scripture verses from Luke’s Gospel, we see that the innkeeper is not even specifically mentioned. He is only a part of the account by inference, as we know that Joseph went to an inn, and was turned away because of lack of room. It is thus implied that an innkeeper spoke with him. As we read the Scripture, Mary and Joseph needed to travel to Bethlehem because of the census that Caesar Augustus had ordered. When they arrived, the inn in Bethlehem was full (vs. 7).
Bethlehem was located just a few miles southeast of Jerusalem, and was not a big village at this time. There was likely only one inn there, and probably not a very large one, at that. With more people than usual traveling at this time due to the census, the few rooms it had would have filled up quickly with the people who had come to Bethlehem to register there for this census. With Mary being nine months pregnant, the couple had to travel slowly, and Joseph had no way to reserve a room ahead of time. By the time that they arrived in town, evening had come, and Mary’s labor had begun. They desperately needed a room.
Let’s picture the scene. Tired and hungry from the journey, they have just arrived at their destination, Bethlehem. With no Google Maps, they look up and down the few streets, perhaps asking around, and finally locate the small inn. Mary’s labor pains are coming periodically, and I’m sure she’s concerned about where she will be giving birth. Joseph enters the inn, inquiring about a room. Here we meet the innkeeper. He only has a few rooms. Normally Bethlehem is not a big travel destination. Most people passing through are heading to Jerusalem, which is only a very short distance away. No real need to stop in Bethlehem. He tells Joseph that his rooms are unfortunately already filled. Sorry, mister. Joseph must have told him that his wife, Mary, is in labor, and they really need a place to stay. Because we read that when Jesus was born, His parents laid him in a manger, an animal feeding trough, we believe that He was born in a stable or barn of some sort. This was perhaps given to them for use by the innkeeper. That way, Mary would have a private place to give birth, rather than out in the open where other people, coming for the census, would be camping. And it is quite possible that the innkeeper provided fresh hay, and perhaps even some blankets for the couple to use.
Throughout the years, the innkeeper has suffered some rather unfair scorn because he turned Joseph and Mary away, thus allowing Jesus to be born in a stable, rather than a respectable room in an inn. However, the innkeeper would have had no way of knowing that this baby was the promised Messiah. And would it have been right for him to kick an already paid customer out of their room? I don’t feel that the innkeeper should be looked down upon.
What about us today? Have we turned Jesus away from the door of our heart? Is there any room for Him in our life? The innkeeper had no way of knowing who this couple were, and Who their Baby would be. However, we do. There is no excuse we can give. What is taking up the space in your heart, in your life, where there is no room for Jesus to come? Money? Possessions? Job? Other people? So many folks seem to have plenty of room for these, but for the Savior who died for us, there seems to be no room. Jesus is knocking, and asking for admission to your heart this Christmas. Have you any room for Jesus?
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