After reflecting on all of those who made room for Jesus during His days walking on earth, there have been those who have emerged who did NOT make room. They beg not to be ignored. They beg to warn and teach us. They chose not to change their hearts and lives to accommodate the Christ, and instead, they were left with loss.
Except for their dress and language, they fit into our world today. People like:
- The leaders of Jesus’ hometown synagogue who wouldn’t believe the Messianic claims of “Joseph’s son” and, instead, drove Him out with wrath (Luke 4:16-30).
- The pharisees who were “filled with fury” when Jesus healed a withered hand on the Sabbath; they had no insight, only accusation (Luke 6:6-11).
- The Innkeeper whose words we never hear, but who must’ve reported there was simply no place for them in “the Inn” where travelers found shelter, but Jesus found no place to lay His head (Luke 9:58).
- The betrayer Judas, from the intimate group of followers, whose heart longed for greed over God. He chose a pittance of silver instead of the Savior (Luke 22:3-6).
- The ruler Herod who sat on the earthly throne, treating Jesus with contempt and using his power to find him guilty, sending him back to Pilate. Once curious about the Messiah, He showed contempt instead of compassion (Luke 23:8-15).
- The urgent and demanding crowds who cried out for Jesus to be crucified. Caught up with emotion, they opted for the chance to satisfy their lust for violence, rather than their need for restoration (Luke 23: 23, 27, 48).
Their choices were born out of hearts so filled with their own desires and their own idols that they didn’t want to make room for Jesus. The same Jesus once proclaimed by a multitude of heavenly hosts, worshiped by awestruck shepherds, sought by oriental kings, and awaited by the godly. Ultimately, some chose not to prepare room for the Savior, and they bought only LOSS. Loss of understanding, nearness to Jesus, the truth, eternal life, justice, mercy, fellowship, and so much more.
There are others tucked in between the pages of Christ’s story, and their are others tucked in between the pages of our stories. Oh, that we when we have moments of decision we would choose to make room!
