The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-03-12

A.Na CtptiOu klNtn I'd
him who came to be lsrael's Messiah
and the worlds Savior
No room In the inn. ls there 4.
more pathetic sentence anywhere
the Scriptures The humble peaP
ants who had come from Gaiilee ana
who sought shelter In one OF the vii
lage caravanserai were denied this
privilege; so they both took shelter
In n stable: and there Jesus was
born. No room for the King! The
pethos Of II is almost too deep for
words
But that was always the answer
while Jesus was alive; he himself de-
scribed II when he said: Foxes have
holes and birds OF the air have nests,
but the Son OF Man hath not where
10 lay his head Misunderstood at
home. neglected by his friends. de-
serted by his disciples. betrayed by
one OF them. and crucifed by the
rulers--Nazareth. CapernauP- Jerusa-
lem-no room for Jesus
Through the centuries It has been
the same: that first night on earth
was a prophecy. 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 filled 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 crucinod.
Not "A place that hr can enter;
In yoar heart Tor which he diedT
No room for Jesus. II is true to-
day. Christ is not wanted. and the
bethlehem story repeats itself. In
the city life proof In found In the
legaiized saloon and all that goes
with II. 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. lie who came
TO make home life heaven has been
denied his place.
And just as our knowledge about
this Jesus IL greater than In that
time. so Ii 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 eternaliy by the Cross OF Cal
vary" What will we say TO him In
the end
What is wrongy Why do we keep
Christ OUT Why are our hearts
closed against him? Is II oppositioniu
No. not usually Let us look q
bethlehem. for there Is n slight paraf
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. II he had
known. But II 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
In the public place. there was no room
In the inn-the inn was full
Bethlehem will rise up and con
denim US. II II had known the day OF
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 10 you: he has
been waiting for place In your
heart; you know who he Is and what
he will do for you; you have heard
power. and still-no room for Jesus
Behold. stand at the door and
knock" WIN you not let him In !
said this text was the most pathetic
verse In the Bible: but II IL 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 out
OF their lives. who give themselves
over TO the things OF time and sense.
and send Christ 20 the stable. Come.
now. and let us reason together