Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-12-27


him who came to be Israers Messiah
and the worlds Savior.
No room in the inn. Is there a
more pathetic sentence anywhere in
the Scriptures? The humble peas
ants who had come from Galilee and
who sought shelter in one of the viii
lage caravanserai were denied this
privilege; so they both took shelter
in 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 a 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. o
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 crucified.
Not place that he can enter;
In your heart for which he died?''
No room for Jesus. 1t 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 it, 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 ungodly habits of
parents and the irreverence and dis
obedience of children. He who came
to make home life heaven has been
denied his place
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.
We 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 is 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 1owly 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, if 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 consid-
cred weightier matters, and so liter
ally Christ was crowded out; even
fl the public place, there was no room
In the inn-the inn was full
Bethlehem will rise up and con.
denim US. If it had known the day of
its 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 viii do for you; you have heard
the story of his love and grace and
power, and stili-no room for Jesus
Behold. 1 stand at the door and
knock" VIII you not let him in? 1
said this text was the most pathetic
verse in the Bible. but it 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
culpable rejection crowd Christ our
of their lives. who give themselves
over TO the things of time and sense.
and send Christ to the stable. Come,
now. ana let US reason together