"He was despised and rejected."
Isaiah 53:3, ESV
Scripture informs us that this amazing Lover was famously rejected as an adult male following a vibrant ministry focused on teaching people how to love -- genuinely love. The royals, the teachers of the Law, His countrymen, robbers, rascals, and even His own brothers esteemed Him not.
Adding insult to injury, He received no hospitality and no consideration worthy of His love even while still in the womb (Luke 2:1-7). When the time came for the Christ-child to be born, doors kept closing. Innkeepers all around Bethlehem, it is to be presumed, simply shooed away pregnant Mary and weatherworn Joseph with a two-word grunt—No room!
Two thousand years separate me from said innkeepers and, armed with smugness and self-righteousness, I find it easy to call out their inhospitable manner. Yet, how often do I personally become an inconsiderate and insolent innkeeper refusing admittance to the Prince of peace and the Lord of lords? All too often I give Him the silent treatment by not responding to His repeated calls. All too often I keep my door shut—preferring my pity parties, clinging to my worthless idols, listening to the usurper’s lies, and denying access to the One whose love is the very air I need to live. All too often I foolishly utter, “No room.”
Perhaps, it is the above line of reasoning that inspired John W. Peterson to pen these haunting lines:
“No room, only a manger of hay
No room, He is a stranger today
No room, here in His world turned away
No room, no room
No room, here in the hearts of mankind
No room, no cheery welcome could find
No room, surely the world is blind
No room, no room
No room, angels in heaven up yonder
No room, watch with amazement and wonder
To see the Son of the Highest treated so
No room, no room, no room.”
No room . . . what a dreary response! Gratefully, the Agape love of the Coming One is so generous and gracious that He does not readily take no for an answer. He persists in coming and knocking and speaking and revealing and wooing and inviting and pleading and investing until Christ is believed, revered, loved in return, and granted the seat of honor in the inn of our hearts.
Advent thus calls us to anticipate, expect, desire, and yearn for the Highest monarch who lovingly beckons to occupy the lowly hearts of men and women. It is His coming that fills the crevices of our souls with His fullness.
That is the transforming love of Advent.
That is divine grace at its finest.
“O, come to my heart, Lord Jesus
There is room in my heart for Thee.”
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