The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-12-19

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and the worlds Savior
No room in the inn. Is there
more pathetic sentence anywhere In
the Scriptures? The humble peas
ants who had come from Galilee and
who sought shelter In one Of the VII
lage carevanserai were denied this
privilege: so they both took shelter
in a stable; and there Jesus was
born. No room for the King! The
pathos of it is almost too deep for
words.
But that was always the answer
while Jesus was alive; he himself de-
scribed it when he said: Foxes have
holes and birds of the air have nests,
but the Son Of Man hath not where
to lay his head. Misunderstood at
home, neglected by his friends, de-
serted by his disciples. betrayed by
one of them, and crucified by the
rulers-Nazareth, Capernaum. Jerusa-
lem-no room for Jesus.
Through the centuries it has been
the same; that first night on earth
was prophesy, for in spite Of apos-
ties, martyrs, saints and reformers
Jesus had not found room in relig-
ious, political, social or individual
spheres of life in the case of the mil
lions who have gone on their way
either unheeding or Indifferent. Q
the tragedy Of the centuries-no room
for Jesus. The Lord of all despised
by the many. The region of outer
darkness is filed with those who said.
We will not have this one rule over
us: depart; no room for the King!
Room for pleasure. room for business
But for Christ the crucifed.
Not place that he can enter:
In your heart for which he died?"
No room for Jesus. lit Is true to-
day. Christ Is not wanted, and the
Bethlehem story repeats itself. In
the city life proof is found In the
legalized saloon and all that goes
with 1t, in corrupt and vicious govern.
ment, in loose laws and looser enforce
ment, in dishonest business. in social
laxity and impurity. In many homes
evidence is seen in the character Of
the books in the library, the pictures
upon the walls, careless. ill-tem-
pered and profane language and con-
versation, and the ungoGly habits Of
parents and the irreverence and dis
obedience Of children. He who came
to make home life, heaven has been
denied his place. Yes, and in many
of our churches we find it true; there
are worldly officers and even preach
ers. members in whom the pleasures
and riches Of this world crowd out
everything else, members who give
more money to their lodge or club
than they do to the church, women
who pay more for single hat or men
who spend more on single luxury
than they give to missions, young peo-
pie who spend many hours at the
dance but not even a few minutes In
Bible study or devotion or prayer, and
give more time to social diversions
than to salvation-it is true: There
is no room for Jesus.
And just as our knowledge about
this Jesus is greater than in that
time, so is our responsibility heavier,
our shame deeper. our sin greater.
I'VE know him in all the light which
his word and which all subsequent
history cast upon him. We know him
too-and this is our weightiest re-
sponsibility-in the claims which are
set up eternally by the Cross Of Cal
vary" What will we say to him in
the end?
What Ia wrong? Why do we keep
Christ out? Why are our hearts
closed against him? Is it opposition?
No, not usually. Let us look at
Bethlehem, for there is a slight paral-
lei. Any Jewish mother however
humble would have rejoiced at the
great honor which came to Mary. and
any home however lowly would have
been made ready for Jesus. Any
ruler, rabbi, or priest then in Bethle-
hem would have taken any step nee
essary to welcome Jesus, il he had
known But it was time when every
available space was taken by pill
grims. these peasants did not look
like promising guests. people were
pre-occupied with what they coEsid-
cred weightier matters, and so liter
ally Christ was crowded out: even
in the public place, there was no room
in the inn-the inn was full
Bethlehem will rise Zip and con-
denim us. If it had known the day CT
it's visitation. room would have been
made for Jesus. he would have had a
royal reception. But you know about
him; he has sent word to you; he has
been waiting for a place in your
heart; you know who he is and what
he will do for you; you have heard
the story of his love and grace and
power, and still-no room for Jesus.
Behold. stand at the door and
knock" VIII you not J him in?
said this text was the 'nost pathetic
verse in the Bible: but 1t is not so
pathetic as the tragedy of the men
and women of today who are pre-
occupied with the world. the flesh and
the devil, and who In Wilful and
culpabie rejection crowd Christ out
of their lives. who give themselves
over to the things Of time and sense.
and send Christ to the stable. Come,
now, and let us reason together.
1t Is noble and great thing to cover
the blemishes and to excuse the fail.