THERE was no room in the inn for Jesus, the heavenly stranger at His birth, and as He advanced in years, and “went about doing good,” He still found that man had no room for Him in his heart or in his world. Those whom He would so gladly have befriended, could they have found room for His kindness, preferred taking counsel how they might destroy Him. He condemned their selfishness by His own beneficence, and so they would make no room for Him, but hated and persecuted the blessed Jesus.
And by-and-bye they cast Him out of the world, for they put Him to a death of cruelty and shame, and “His life was taken from the earth.”
Since then He has gone on high, to prepare a place Himself—not an inn for wayfarers, but a happy and eternal dwelling place where “many mansions” are. And will He find room up there for those who had “no room” for Him down here? Ah, yes! He will, for it was always His way to render good for evil, and so He is providing room in His Father’s house for millions of those who least deserve His grace. And further, He has sent forth His servants to invite, yea to compel all whom they find to enter in, that “His house may be filled.” And of those sinners who come, confessing their guilt and ruin, and trusting to His atoning blood for their everlasting salvation, He has never turned any away.
Dear reader, do you know what it is to be brought near to God now, through the work of Christ, who suffered, “the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God?” Do you know, as the returned prodigal, the feasting and joy and holy mirth of His banqueting house? If not, His language to you is, “Come, for all things are now ready.” Many, many starving ones have entered and have been made glad at heart, and “yet there is room.” Yes, room enough at this moment for you, my friend, and for all who trust their souls alone to Jesus, the Saviour, the Friend of sinners. At this precious moment the door stands wide open, and Jesus bids you come. O, my reader, can you find “no room” in your needy soul for God’s “great salvation”? (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3).)
ML 07/22/1917