When Mary and Joseph were looking for a warm place to spend the night in Bethlehem with the birth of Jesus quickly approaching, there were no rooms at the inn. As the world’s population continues to grow, we often find ourselves in positions where the innkeepers disappoint us, though Holiday Inn’s advertisement says they are, “Pleasing people the world over.” Pleasing people should not be at the top of our list, even if we are “the world’s innkeeper.”
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Concerning the chain Motel 6, instead of having no rooms at the inn, National Public Radio announcer Tom Bodett reminded us, “We’ll keep the light on for you.” While the accommodations might not be as luxurious and the economy may have caused them to cut the electric bill by turning the lights off, it is nice to find a room, and one that allows pets! Certainly, any Motel 6 is much more comfortable than the manger where Jesus was born. Isn’t it wonderful that God never will tell us that there are no rooms at His inn? We can rest in Him and always can come to Him with every problem and concern.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
Interestingly, in the verse above, when Paul speaks of God’s great love “with which He loved us,” the word “loved” is in the Greek aorist tense, which denotes an action that occurred at one specific time in the past. Though certainly God continues to love us, He demonstrated His love for us at the cross! God’s mercy and grace occurred when Jesus willingly gave His life for us at Calvary. There is a lot of room at the foot of the cross. In fact, there is room for anyone who desires freedom from the bondage of sin. There is room for anyone who desires a life of strength and joy. There is room for anyone who desires the peace that passes understanding.
Sometimes, we erroneously believe that our problems are too small to matter to God, as He has much more important items on His agenda. Yet we are underestimating the size and power of God, who has enough of both to answer all of our prayers and supply all of our needs. Amazingly, He loves each of us so much that all of the issues of our lives matter to Him! It matters not how sinful our lives have been or how far away from God we have walked. He desires for us to come to the foot of the cross and receive His grace. When you are struggling in your life, pick up the pieces and carry them to the place where Jesus accomplished it all on our behalves!
While Motel 6 might keep a light on for you, the Light of the world always will have room for you at the foot of the cross. Looking up at Jesus on the cross, seeing His blood-stained hands and feet, and feeling His tear-stained eyes will remind each of us of the love He demonstrated to show us the way.
10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
11He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:10-11
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