Scripture Reading: Luke 13.18-30 Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then. NLT

Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last. NIV, Luke 18.30

Good Morning.

"The noise and the bustle began earlier than usual in the village. As night gave way to dawn, people were already on the streets. Vendors were positioning themselves on the corners of the most heavily traveled avenues. Store owners were unlocking the doors to their shops. Children were awakened by the excited barking of the street dogs and the complaints of donkeys pulling carts.

The owner of the INN had awakened earlier than most in the town. After all, the inn was full, all the beds taken. Every available mat or blanket had been put to use. Soon all the customers would be stirring and there would be a lot of work to do.

One's imagination is kindled thinking about the conversation of the innkeeper and his family at the breakfast table. Did anyone mention the arrival of the young couple the night before? Did anyone ask about their welfare? Did anyone comment on the pregnancy of the girl on the donkey? Perhaps. Perhaps someone raised the subject. But, at best, it was raised, not discussed. There was nothing that novel about them. They were, possibly, one of several families turned away that night.

Besides, who had time to talk about them when there was so much excitement in the air? Augustus did the economy of Bethlehem a favor when he decreed that a census should be taken. Who could remember when such commerce had hit the village?

No, it is doubtful than anyone mentioned the couple's arrival or wondered about the condition of the girl. They were too busy. The day was upon them. The day's bread had to be made. The morning's chores had to be done. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred. . ."

Had Jesus the Messiah been born right under the nose of the innkeeper? Did the innkeeper miss the opportunity to welcome the Son of God to this earth, usher in the kingdom of God? In today's passage, Jesus whets the appetite of His listeners by talking about the kingdom of God, comparing it to a mustard seed, planted in a garden and becoming a tree that the birds can make their nests in--illustrating that the kingdom of God starts out small but will eventually cover the whole earth. So, I ask you again--had Jesus the Messiah been born that night, (the kingdom of God starting out small but. . .)?

Someone shouted from the crowd to Jesus, 'Lord, will only a few people be saved?' His answer might surprise you. . . 'The gate is far narrower than you suppose. . . work hard to enter the door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail... When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, "I don't know you or where you came from."' This is a difficult saying, who can understand its meaning? [Lord, please open the eyes of our understanding to see Your truth today. Amen.] Was Jesus saying that we are saved by working hard? Well, no, and, yes. He is saying that we enter through the narrow gate of salvation not by our works, but by earnestly desiring to know Jesus, and follow after Him, no matter the cost. Don't let appearances mislead, because there will be many who appear to do great things for God, when really, they are mostly great in their own minds. And 'the door' - open for now, but it will be closed---no, not just closed, but "locked" one day, and no man will open it. Choose this day whom you will serve. . . but as for my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua made his intent so clear, didn't he? Had Jesus the Messiah been born that night--opening the 'narrow door' for all?

Yep. "God entered the world as a baby. Yet, were someone to chance upon the sheep stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem that morning, what a peculiar scene they would behold.

The stable stinks like all stables do. . . A more lowly place of birth could not exist. . . Wide awake is Mary. She looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty. Somehow Mary knows she is

holding God. She remembers the words of the angel, "His kingdom will never end."

Most of Bethlehem didn't know God was in town. They simply weren't looking." Max Lucado, from God Came Near

"I bring you tidings of great joy which will be for all the people. . . a Savior, Christ the Lord." The door, the gate----wide open. "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

The narrow gate. Seek Him while He may be found.

Yeah, so imagine that--God came to town. . . He asked to stay at the inn, but there wasn't any room. Do you have any room for Him?

Welcome the Christ Child,

Christine