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Have I made room for a Savior?

— It is really about our perspective… (meaning our thoughts about a certain situation.)

To examine the idea of perspectives, let’s look to the account of the Innkeeper found in…

Luke 2:1-7 (ESV) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  (2)  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  (3)  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  (4)  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  (5)  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  (6)  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  (7)  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

(Mark all you think correct, and discuss.)

Q1. (Vs.1-3) What are your thoughts about why Caesar Augustus has made this decree? (A law to be enforced by the Roman Authorities.)

O – Rome wanted an accurate record of all their subjects for an accurate record for tax collection.

O – Rome was just curious about the population under their control.

O – God was in control and making a statement we need to come to understand.

O – Other thoughts? _____________________________________________________________

 

Q2. (Vs. 4-5) Think about what is happening in Bethlehem… What do you see as you do so?

O – There are a great many new arrivals in town.

O – Some homes and businesses are empty. (Why might this have been so?)

O – Pretty well all the people are related.

O – Everybody knows each other.

O – Everybody is happy and catching up on family news.

O – Other thoughts? _____________________________________________________________

 

Q3. In the light of your thoughts from Q2, what are your thoughts about Vs.6-7?

O – The Innkeeper was lacking compassion for a heavily pregnant young woman.

O – The Innkeeper was stressed and put in a difficult position.

O – The Innkeeper shows compassion and does the best he can.

O – The other guests (who were also family) lacked compassion.

O – The other guests were also stressed and dealing with problems of their own.

O – God was in control and making a statement we need to come to understand.

O – Other thoughts? _____________________________________________________________

 

Q4. How did this account fit into God’s plan?

O – It is the fulfillment of Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

O – It makes a statement of how God requires humility, and works through humility.

O – It reminds us that God does not value pride of life, or exclusivity.

O – It puts to shame the preconceived notions of status and prejudice of our mortal mindsets.

O – Other thoughts? _____________________________________________________________

 

Q5. A timely discussion: What are we expecting from God in our own lives? …(KRK)

— Have we surrendered control to our Savior? – Or are we still insisting that God should serve us?