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document.write('The Two Guestchambers
Almost twenty centuries ago a young man and his wife were traveling southward from their home to a destination about 75 miles away by way of a winding road. They were obeying government orders to be inscribed in the census roll, and being of a certain family, had to go to the city of that particular family to be enrolled. Upon arriving, they found that the \"inn\" was already full of guests, with no room for them. Turned away, they found a place of rest along with the animals, and it was there that a Child was born--a most wonderful Child--who was destined to rule the world in righteousness.The reader will already realize that this Child, born in a stable and cradled in a manger, was none other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the above-mentioned couple was Joseph and Mary.
But let us notice that the word which is translated \"inn\" in our Bible is literally \"guestchamber.\" Thus we read: \"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the guestchamber\" (Luke 2:7). There was no room for the Lord of glory who was born that night. This was actually what the world thought of Him then and which was more clearly seen later when they cried, \"Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him\" (John 19:15).
The above \"guestchamber\" is that of the world. It has no room for the Saviour. Even today this \"guestchamber\" is full of people who are so occupied with business, entertainment, arts, sciences, sports, politics and religion that Jesus is simply crowded out.
We are approaching the time of the year when the world celebrates the birth of Christ with much merrymaking and gift-giving. Is there room for the Saviour in any of this, or is He crowded out just as He was when born into this world? Is there not a grave danger in making much of the day instead of rejoicing in the fact that He came into the world as God\'s Gift in order to save us from our sins? (Matthew 1:21). This is, indeed, the world\'s \"guestchamber\" with no room for the Heavenly Guest in the heart.
The reader might say, But if I had been there I would have given up my room to Him so that He would not have to be born among the animals and cradled in a manger. May we be permitted to ask a personal question: Have you opened your heart\'s door to let this Saviour in? Or, is it still closed to Him?
There is another \"guestchamber\" mentioned where the Lord Himself is the Host. Some 33 years after His birth, when instructing His disciples as to where to eat the Passover, the Lord said: \"Ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?\" (Luke 22: 11). This reminds us of the solemn fact that it was imperative for the Lord to become our Passover, or else we would all perish. He was thus born into the world in order to die--not a mere martyr\'s death, but for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). The only One in the history of man who did not deserve to die, laid down His life voluntarily that we might live forever!
The word \"Passover\" is taken from the time when God\'s judgment was executed in the land of Egypt. He gave command that the blood of the slain lamb was to be sprinkled over and on each side of the door of the house, \"and when I see the blood, I will pass over you\" (Exodus 12 13). Just so, there is no judgment for those who place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning work which He accomplished once for all on Calvary\'s cross (John 19:30).
In conclusion, let us ask, in which \"guestchamber\" are you? With the world, where there is no room for the Lord of glory; or with Him where He is in the midst, speaking words of comfort to His own, as well as unfolding to them the glorious future--the Father\'s house with all its glory and blessing, which will be fully realized at His coming? Let us not forget that His birth was but the first step toward the fulfilling of God\'s plan of redemption. Apart from His atoning death, we should never know what joy there is in being in the \"guestchamber\" where He is the Center of attraction, now and for eternity.
--J.F.P.
'); document.write('This tract courtesy of Moments With The Book.
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