Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
Romans 14:13
DEVOTION FOR TODAY, December 24, 2019
“Judging What We Don’t Understand”
The preacher was on the attack as he blasted out judgment on a businessman who was simply doing his job. His voice raised: “Someday he will realize and be sorry for his sin; he will wish that he had made a place in his heart for the Lord!” If the gospel is good news, no one was hearing it. I wanted to tell him to ease up on the poor man; it wasn’t his fault. Judgment comes easy when we have no idea what it is like in the other person’s shoes. If we could only see what God sees, we might be a lot kinder to one another. I believe that the Bethlehem Innkeeper was loved by God who understood what it was like on the crowded streets of the little town that first Christmas Eve.
Somewhere in Heaven, I believe there is a family who has a special place in the heart of God because they gave their humble best to passing strangers in despair. Those kind people had no way of knowing who Joseph and Mary were. They just saw someone in need. This puts into context what Jesus said, “In as much as you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me.”
I wonder how many times we miss God’s message by judging what we do not understand. We can preach, “No room in the Inn” to mean no room for God, but is that really the heart of the Gospel? I see a God of love and mercy who made a choice not to be born in royalty, but in poverty and hardships, and a world of crowded minds that many know all too well.
Have you noticed the one thing that is absent in the Nativity of Christ? No one is complaining about anything; not weather, not taxes, not hurting feet after a ninety mile walk, there is not one word of complaint. The report is tidings of great joy mixed with wonder, glory and praise.
It is Christmas Eve; can we learn to be content, to be satisfied with the gift of God; and to truly find time and space for the Savior who has come to us?
Grace and Peace, Rev Ray
“Link to YouTube Video – Oh The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”
