Raffles Hotel in Singapore is a legendary 5-star hotel that boasts a long list of distinguished former guests, including King Faisal of Saudi Arabia and the King of Pop Music—Michael Jackson. Immortalized by writers like Rudyard Kipling and Ernest Hemingway, there are suites named after personalities who were associated with the hotel: Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, Joseph Conrad, Noel Coward, Pablo Neruda, and W. Somerset Maugham, who is reputed to have spent his days writing at the hotel.
Joseph and Mary once looked for some lodging in the little town of Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-4)—a relatively unknown, small Judean village (Matthew 2:6). Nothing in town was really worth a visit. But from that night onward, it became famous. Bethlehem, meaning the “house of bread,” became the birthplace of the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Surely, there would be someone kind enough to give up a room for a woman in labor, right? After all, many of the people who lived in or were returning to Bethlehem were related to Joseph (Luke 2:3-4). But none were prepared to give them a place to stay. There was no room for King Jesus!
Eventually, the couple chose to take shelter where some animals were kept, probably a cave. And as the animals munched their hay, the Son of God came into this world.
It’s interesting that the God of all creation would choose such a humble place for His Son’s first appearance on earth. Paul wrote that Jesus “gave up his divine privileges; [taking] the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” What’s more, “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).
What an amazing, humble Savior we serve!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 3:16-28
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-29 to see how God carries out His plans in ways that surprise and amaze us.
Next:
Consider that this world had no room for God when He came for a visit. Have you made room for Jesus in your heart? If you have, how has His presence changed you?
Gary Shultz on April 14, 2016 at 6:23 am
K.T. I never cease to be amazed at what our savior accepted as He made His journey on this earth. I am also amazed that it seems no one ever took the time to really ask the question directly to Jesus; where were you born? Everybody just assumed they knew. Everyone assumed a lot of things about Christ, very few were interested enough to ask or observe what His life was beyond the spectacular. Thank God that His love ran deep, and His patience long. Human response could not determine or deter the course of love and sacrifice Christ had for us. Thank you K.T. for bringing that into focus
sandy229 on April 14, 2016 at 11:37 am
That’s true, and I never thought about that before.
Mike Wittmer on April 14, 2016 at 7:41 am
Amen, K.T. I’m getting excited for His return visit!
sandy229 on April 14, 2016 at 11:37 am
Amen Mike!! me too!!
gagirllive on April 14, 2016 at 9:20 am
I love the passage in 1 Corinthians that you referenced in your “More” question, K.T. It’s one of my favorite places to go to remind me that God often uses low-born nobodys in the eyes of man to accomplish His plans and purposes. In a world where the rich and famous, young and beautiful are more valued than those who are not, it’s comforting to know that God’s ways are not our ways–His thoughts are not our thoughts. Immanuel came to us humbly and without fanfare the first time. His second coming will be quite different. Can’t wait! Thanks, K. T.
sandy229 on April 14, 2016 at 10:15 am
That’s so true, God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts!! What a mighty God we serve.
sandy229 on April 14, 2016 at 10:14 am
Having Jesus as my Savior has changed my whole life. It’s so amazing that He would come to earth and humble Himself the way He did to die for my sins. I was lost but now I am found. I was blind but now I see. No one can know exactly how I feel unless they too have been called by God. When sharing the gospel I need to pray for those I share with that God will help them know and He will put it in their heart so they too can be forgiven and know that Christ died for them. Thank you for today’s devotion K.T. I am waiting for Jesus to come again so every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus did die for them and God sent His only Son to die for the sins of everyone. I will serve Him because I love Him, and until He returns or takes me home, I will always serve Him.
sandy229 on April 14, 2016 at 10:24 am
Getting results sometimes becomes the main focus we we believe the end justifies the means because so often people try to do God’s work in man’s way. But we can’t be led away by the world’s reasoning. The world tries to convince us that as long as you can accomplish something for the kingdom of God, that’s all that matters. “Efficiency” from man’s perspective is not prized by God. It is never wise to attempt to do God’s work in man’s way because His ways are not are ways.
gagirllive on April 14, 2016 at 11:50 am
Amen, Sandy! Your words, “Efficiency from man’s perspective is not prized by God”, remind me of what I read this morning in Luke 16:15. “For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Thanks for sharing that point!
godlove on April 14, 2016 at 11:11 am
Thank you K.T. for this reminder about the amazing humility of the Saviour of the world. It is good to constantly be reminded about the importance of humility in our journey. Jesus’ entire life, from birth to death was a show of humility: born as the son of a carpenter, born in a stable(!), washed his disciples feet, and died in the most humiliating fashion possible at that time. What a glaring example of humbleness from our Master and Teacher, he could not have made the point any clearer. Like Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5-9, “(We) must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names.” I pray that the Lord helps us to follow the example of Jesus in our daily lives, that is the best way to show the world His presence in our hearts.
sandy229 on April 14, 2016 at 11:36 am
Yes!! Amen!!
gagirllive on April 14, 2016 at 11:52 am
Amen, godlove! I love what you shared. His humble example is ours to follow!