Read Luke 2:7; 22:7-20.
IT is interesting to observe that the word translated Inn in Luke 2:7 is the same as Guest-chamber in Luke 22:11. So that we are justified in reading the former
“There was no room for them in the Guest-chamber.”
We invite our fellow-believers to consider with us two guest-chambers: the world’s and Christ’s.
The word, guest-chamber, conveys the idea of some place that is more or less attractive, and where the host provides that which is likely to be pleasing to his guests.
The world has got its guest-chamber and probably most of us have been there at some time or other in our history. Satan is the host, but he so skillfully hides his identity, and he disguises himself so successfully, that he is not easily recognized. He caters for his guests in a most remarkable way. He knows their likes and dislikes, their prejudices and preferences. If religiously inclined, he can suit their requirements; if pleasure be their craving, he can supply it in abundance; if they lust after evil things they may have them. There is One however who is excluded and that is Christ. There is no room for HIM in that guest-chamber. In other words, the world had, and has, no use, and therefore no room for Christ.
That is the reason why we who know Him, and who love Him, have no use for the world, and have no desire for the world’s guest-chamber.
We have read those pungent words in James 4:4: “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” It seems as if God says “The world crucified My Son therefore it is at enmity with Me, hence those who are the friends of the world, are My enemies.”
In the same epistle, we read of Abraham, that he had the unique distinction of being called, “The friend of God” (2:23). That sturdy patriarch “believed God,” having heard the call of “the God of glory.” He said goodbye to Ur of the Chaldees, he bid farewell to the world’s guest-chamber and lived a life consistent therewith. It was well worthwhile, was it not?
That was why the Christian girl refused the hand of a young man, estimable in every way, but he was a friend of the world and she was a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ. She realized how incongruous it would be for him to go to the world’s guest-chamber while she went to Christ’s guest-chamber, and she decided to remain loyal to her Lord, even if it meant a lonely path, as the world would speak, rather than sacrifice the friendship of Christ for that of the world.
Similarly, that Christian young man recognized that he could retain the friendship of his old-time companion only by continuing to be found with him in the world’s guest-chamber, which would be damaging to his own soul, and would tend to hinder his companion getting blessing. He cut that link, found his home in Christ’s guest-chamber, and so unconsciously carried with him the fragrance of it that, instead of being found with his friend, his friend was in due time found with him, and thus they clasped hands in happy fellowship.
As a matter of fact, if we know the joy of the one, we have no desire for, and absolutely refuse to have anything to do with the other. We say to ourselves, “There is no room for my Lord in the world’s guest-chamber, and where there is no room for Him, there is no room for me.” Such are they to whom He delights to say, “YE ARE MY FRIENDS” (John 15:14).
Now let us read again these verses in Luke 22 It was the dark night of the Lord’s betrayal. He had, sent Peter and John on a mission of discovery. They were to go to the city, when they entered it they were to meet a man bearing a pitcher of water, and they were to follow him into the house where he entered in. Next they were to “say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples.” In the corresponding account of this incident in Mark 14:14 we read in the very reliable translation by the late J. N. Darby. “Where is MY guest-chamber where I may eat the Passover with MY disciples.”
Shall we allow these two expressions to be printed not only on our brain but on our heart:
“MY GUEST-CHAMBER” — “MY DISCIPLES.”
What a triumph of grace! In the world that had a guest-chamber which had no room for Him, He had established a guest-chamber that had no room for the world. We imagine the men of the world did not know of its existence. If they had known, they would have looked upon it with contempt. Just a few obscure, unknown, humble men who in their eyes were of no account. Yes, but the Lord was there, and that, to them, made all the difference, and what a difference it made!
Let us survey the guest-chamber, and to do so rightly let us read once more verse 12. It is “large.” There is room there for all His disciples, no one else. It may be that all His disciples are not found there: that is their loss. He wishes them all to be there. Whether you trusted the Saviour last night or last century, He wants you there dear Christian friend. It is an “upper” room. In the world and yet separated from it. Away from the noise, the excitement, and the confusion of the world we find the divine Host and His guests.
Lastly, it is “furnished.” Furnished with all that love could provide, and that would minister to the comfort, the joy, and the satisfaction of His guests. Do we not get a beautiful picture of it in the Song of Solomon 2:3, 4? Read the verses, and note: the guest speaks, and says, “I sat down under His shadow with great delight and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” That guest had reached what a beloved servant of the Lord used to call, “The region of satisfied desire.” Adoring the Host, and feasting upon His bountiful provision, finding rest in His presence and in His company.
We read further, “He brought me to the banqueting house;”— might we paraphrase that “the guest-chamber”? — “and His banner over me was love.” A warm, congenial, inviting, holy, and happy place indeed. But that is not all, for, read, please, verse 6, “His left hand is under my head, and His right hand Both embrace me.” Where was the guest’s head? On the host’s bosom. Do we not read in John 13:23. that in the Lord’s guest-chamber, in that “large, upper room,” there was a guest who “was leaning on Jesus’ bosom,” and, as he felt the throbbing of His heart, he was more conscious than ever that he was “one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”
Who would not esteem it an honor to be one of those of whom He speaks as “MY disciples? “Who would miss the joy of knowing that he or she was “One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved?” Who would not desire the luxury of being found in that which He calls “MY GUEST-CHAMBER?” The guests were, as we have remarked, a few humble men; but it is simply charming to visualize Him as He looked upon them, and, in accents of tenderest love, said, “ Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations.” (Luke 22:28). He virtually said, “In a world that has had no room for Me, you have been My friends. I shall not forget that. You shall, in a coming day, in circumstances altogether different from the present, in a world of joy without end, eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, [My guest-chamber], I Myself shall serve you; [verse 27]; and, not only so, but you shall sit on Thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
What a Lord is ours!
W. Bramwell Dick.
(To be concluded.)