| February 6, 2000 |
Vol. II, No. 41
|
"So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 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"(Lk.2:6,7). People get all upset about this "no room" business! But wait! This is no conspiracy against Jesus or Joseph and Mary - no devil's plot. There is a census. Crowds gather for it -like a convention. All the motels(inns) fill up; nothing more. But consider a really disturbing scene.
Here is a brother. He is grubby. The dirt on his clothes is old and dried. No telling when he bathed last -- worse he uses no deodorant. Put plainly, he stinks! Now, is there room in the church for him? Is he welcome? -- not just a visitor -- a regular member. "Well, he should bathe." Right! That would be nice, but bathing is a social grace -not a spiritual act -- not a criteria of righteousness. Dirty is not the same as evil. You are thinking, "Cleanliness is next to godliness." Remember, that is not in the Bible; it is just a chimney corner scripture. This is vital. That grubby guy is a son of God; he is our brother in Christ -- regardless of his poor social habits. God is no "respecter of persons." He looks beyond the dirty clothes to the heart; he demands the same thing of us -we must show no "partiality." We must find room for him! Room in the building and not in a corner by a footstool -- room in the congregation -- room in the heart. Now, read James 2:1-13 again -- carefully and slowly.
Again, is there room in our evangelism program for a dirty prospect? Is he classified as a "good prospect"? -- or just avoided? Will you invite him to a meeting? Jesus did! Remember the "highways and hedges" and "compel them to come in"(Lk.14:23)?
Is there room for weird people in the church? There are lots of them around -- glad I am not one! Hush, friends! Is there a fine seat for "normal" people, but just nothing available for that "odd bird"? Remember: he is a son of God -- even if he is weird. Jesus made his reservations.
Is there room in church for the ignorant? -- a place for a guy who disrupts class with dumb questions? -- with infantile comments? "Ah, breathe a sigh of relief; he finally quit coming!" I hope not! He is God's son -- even if an ignorant son. Shall we run him off? -- throw him out?
Combine all these traits -- dirty, stinking, ignorant -- and not likely to get over it! Add a little "mental deficiency." Is there room? We once received just such a lady -- with obvious relief where she once worshipped. An elegant and meticulous sister volunteered and took her to and from church -- regularly sitting beside her and helping find her song numbers. A brother installed a hot water heater in her rather grubby house. People talked to her; cared about her. There really was room for her!
The unsociable? The unfriendly? The grumpy? "Ought not to act that way" "Get over it!" Right! Maybe one day he will, but right now -- until he grows up -- whenever that is, is there room? Is there room for the poor, old, sick who need care and put a drain on church resources? They give little and take lots. "You took me in" viewed just such people; Jesus commended people who receive them (Mt.25:31).
Room for the disreputable? -- a former prostitute? -- recovering drunk who still falls off the wagon now and then. What about a known homosexual who repents and becomes a Christian? He still looks effeminate and has suspicious manners. What about people who have made a horrible mess of their lives and have the disagreeable consequences lingering with them? Is there room? Jesus had room for them(Mt.9:10-13). Such were included in first century churches(1Cor.6:9-11).
Is there room for one with serious kinks in understanding -- a blind spot on some subject. "I just can't see it!" "Well, it is plain as day -- I have explained it 20 times." Can only scholars -- doctrinally, perfectly accurate -- have a place? What about those with unnecessary restrictions of conscience -- different from the rest of the church?
On a practical basis, many answer: "No room!" -- then lament the empty seats in the auditorium. Love your brother makes room -- in spite of his problems. Without such love for brothers -- including all those weird and unattractive brothers, there is likely "no room" for you!
--Joe Fitch, via Bible Comments
“‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore: and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’” (Matt. 13:47-51).
As Jesus and His disciples went from place to place teaching the good news of the salvation Jesus came to initiate, they did not exclude anyone from their audiences. They sought to persuade the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes. They instructed the publicans (custom’s agents) and “sinners” -- those who were openly living immoral lives. Though He spent little time in what might be considered basically Gentile territory, Jesus did instruct even Gentiles when the occasion arose for Him to have dealings with them. See Matt. 8:5-13; 15:21-28. Jesus and His apostles intentionally went into the land of the Samaritans and informed them of the good news. See John 4, etc.
As they taught, great crowds gathered around Jesus and His apostles. Some came to see the miracles. Some came just to eat the bread. Some came to see and hear what the angels had desired to look into and what the prophets of old had foretold. Some came just out of curiosity. But, by the thousands, they came. Many of them were favorably impressed by what they saw and heard. These became disciples. He had only 12 apostles, whom He selected and appointed, but He had hundreds of disciples who followed Him because they chose to do so. They chose to accept His invitation.
As times grew harder, many of those “disciples” turned their backs on Him and “walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). Even many who really did love Him were a disappointment to Him, as in their grief, bewilderment and confusion, they temporarily deserted Him.
Of course, Jesus knew the hearts of all His disciples and would-be followers. He knew who was following Him because of real spiritual interest in His cause, and who had ulterior motives. He knew whose shortcomings were from weakness or lack of understanding, and who fell short simply because they did not properly value His lordship, His kingdom. Of course, He still knows these things, and He warns all would-be followers that at the end of the age, He will come with His angels and “separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
In the meantime, we must re-examine our own motives and attitudes so that when the final judgment comes, we will be found pleasing in His sight.
--CRJ
Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.