Mary

August 29

Luke 1:57-64, 2:1-7

“Sorry, no room”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. When Elizabeth had her baby, everyone thought he would be given the name of someone in the family, but Zechariah wrote his name for everyone to see. As he wrote the name “John”, Zechariah suddenly began to speak again.

At that time, Emperor Augustus ordered everyone to be registered in the town of their family tribe.

So Mary and Joseph, who were engaged to be married, left their hometown of Nazareth and went to register in Bethlehem—the birthplace of King David.

When Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, the small town was overcrowded because of the many people that had come to register there. The time had come for Mary to have her baby, but there was no room for them to stay in the inn. Eventually, Mary and Joseph found a place for the baby to be born; and Mary wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger.

Why was Jesus not born in a palace?

Jesus came to earth as a humble servant to show us that God cares for everyone—even the least and lowliest people on earth. Jesus made Himself nothing, and took on the humble position of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He, the King of kings, willingly came to serve—not to be served. Jesus was laid in a feeding-trough for animals to show that God sent Jesus to earth with nothing.

What would you have done if you were the innkeeper the night Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to stay? Would you have cleared out your room and let them move in? What about now? Some people’s hearts are so jam-packed with their selfish lifestyle that they have no room for Jesus. Have you invited Jesus in and let Him make Himself at home in your heart?

Verse for today

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20