We are entering the Christmas season, the season of Advent, where we focus on the coming of Christ. These next several weeks, our Gospel Jump-Start posts will have an Advent focus. As we enter this time I want to offer two reflections from two great preachers. In his Advent devotional, The Dawning of Indestructible Joy, John Piper wrote:
God owns and controls all things. And there is nothing that he could give you for Christmas this year that would suit your needs and longings better than the consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem, restoration for past losses and liberation from future enemies, forgiveness and freedom, pardon and power, healing the past and sealing the future.
If there is a longing in your heart this Advent for something that the world has not been able to satisfy, might not this longing be God’s Christmas gift preparing you to see Christ as consolation and redemption and to receive him for who he really is? (pg. 17)
Notice what Piper is saying, God has the ability to give any gift and out of that ability He gave the gift we most need. He gave the gift of Christ. Are we ready to receive that gift? In a sermon preached on December 21, 1862 Charles Spurgeon said:
…have you room for Christ?
“Well,” says one, “I have room for him, but I am not worth that he should come to me.” Ah! I did not ask about worthiness; have you room for him? “Oh! but I feel it is a place not at all fit for Christ!” Nor was the manger a place fit for him, and yet there was he laid. “Oh! but I have been such a sinner; I feel as if my heart had been a den of beasts and devils!” Well, the manger had been a place where beasts had fed. Have you room for him? Never mind what the past has been; he can forget and forgive. It mattereth not what even the present state may be if thou mournest it. If thou hast but room for Christ he will come and be thy guest.
Oh! sinner, if thou hast room for him let him be born in thy soul today.
My Master wants room! Room for him! Room for him! I, his herald, cry aloud, Room for the Savior! Room! Here is my royal Master—have you room for him? Here is the Son of God made flesh—have you room for him? Here is he who can forgive all sin—have you room for him? Here is he who can take you up out of the horrible pit and out of the miry clay—have you room for Him? Here is he who when he cometh in will never go out again, but abide with you forever to make your heart a heaven of joy and bliss for you—have you room for him?
Oh! Spirit of God, lead many to say, “Ye, my heart is ready.” Ah! Then he will come and dwell with you. (Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, pgs. 63-64)
Christians, are we continuing to look to Christ as the sufficient gift from God, the Father? Do we see Him as the joy and bliss that He alone is? Also, we must follow Spurgeon’s example of proclaiming this good news to others while at the same time praying the Lord would open their eyes. By God’s grace, may there be room for the King!
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,” –Isaac Watts
Written by Matt Baker