Cornerstone Church,
Have you ever walked into a place and immediately knew that you were not welcome there? Whispers go silent, everybody turns and looks at you questioningly… If you have been there you know the feeling. As an unpopular kid in several awkward stages of my childhood I know the feeling. Now, as a pastor, I know it even more. No one can shut down a party like clergy.
In the gospel of Matthew, we are told that Jesus too came into a very unwelcome environment. There was the political oppression of Rome, the financial struggles of his poor family, the fact that His mother was pregnant and unwed... then to top it all off, there was no room in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV) 1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
If you came to my house, you would be invited in, well most of you. If we are friends, you would be invited to stay for a while. If it was near dinner time, we would add some water to the soup and make do, but around 9 pm, we would politely but firmly hand you your car keys. If you were family, we would invite you to stay the night, for most family that is the kid’s room and undersized bed. For the family we don’t like, they sleep on an air mattress. For the honored family members, they get the master bedroom and I get the air mattress.
Now, we all would welcome Jesus into our homes, wouldn’t we? I am not talking about setting up a nativity set, but really inviting Him in to stay. We would give up our bed and take the air mattress wouldn’t we? I sure hope so, but many of us are just like the folks long ago that never really understood the magnitude of the guest on their door step.
May this Christmas season be one where we welcome Him into our homes and lives and give Him the honor and glory that He deserves!
- Pastor Joel Johns
Have you ever walked into a place and immediately knew that you were not welcome there? Whispers go silent, everybody turns and looks at you questioningly… If you have been there you know the feeling. As an unpopular kid in several awkward stages of my childhood I know the feeling. Now, as a pastor, I know it even more. No one can shut down a party like clergy.
In the gospel of Matthew, we are told that Jesus too came into a very unwelcome environment. There was the political oppression of Rome, the financial struggles of his poor family, the fact that His mother was pregnant and unwed... then to top it all off, there was no room in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV) 1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
If you came to my house, you would be invited in, well most of you. If we are friends, you would be invited to stay for a while. If it was near dinner time, we would add some water to the soup and make do, but around 9 pm, we would politely but firmly hand you your car keys. If you were family, we would invite you to stay the night, for most family that is the kid’s room and undersized bed. For the family we don’t like, they sleep on an air mattress. For the honored family members, they get the master bedroom and I get the air mattress.
Now, we all would welcome Jesus into our homes, wouldn’t we? I am not talking about setting up a nativity set, but really inviting Him in to stay. We would give up our bed and take the air mattress wouldn’t we? I sure hope so, but many of us are just like the folks long ago that never really understood the magnitude of the guest on their door step.
May this Christmas season be one where we welcome Him into our homes and lives and give Him the honor and glory that He deserves!
- Pastor Joel Johns
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