OUR DAILY BREAD 12 DECEMBER 2024 DEVOTIONAL, THURSDAY ODB MESSAGE
TOPIC: Room for Jesus
BIBLE IN YEAR: Hosea 9-11; Revelation 3
KEY VERSE: And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Luke 2:1-7
TODAY’S ODB INSIGHT
Many of us have heard that Jesus was born in a stable, largely due to the translation of the Greek word katalyma as “inn” in Luke 2:7 in some versions. This, combined with the detail that Jesus was placed in a “manger,” has led many to assume Mary and Joseph were turned away from an inn and found refuge in a stable. But katalyma is better translated “guest room.”
In ancient Near East peasant homes, there would often be a space reserved for guests separated from the area of the home where animals would also stay. Joseph went to Bethlehem to stay with family during the census (v. 4). But because there wasn’t enough room in the guest area of the house, Mary gave birth in the area of the home that had an animal manger (v. 7), an ideal shape for cradling a newborn.
OUR DAILY BREAD 12 DECEMBER 2024 – THURSDAY ODB DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE:
I loved my weekend in New Orleans—happening upon a parade in the French Quarter, visiting the National World War II Museum, and trying grilled oysters. But as I fell asleep in my friend’s spare room, I missed my wife and kids. I enjoy opportunities to preach in other cities, but I most enjoy being home.
One aspect of Jesus’ life that’s sometimes overlooked is how many of His most important events happened on the road. The Son of God entered our world in Bethlehem, an incalculable distance from His heavenly home and far from His family’s hometown of Nazareth. Bethlehem was overflowing with extended family in town for the census, so Luke says there wasn’t even a spare katalyma, or “guest room,” available (Luke 2:7).
What was missing at Jesus’ birth did show up at His death. As Jesus led His disciples into Jerusalem, He told Peter and John to prepare for their Passover meal. They should follow a pitcher-carrying man to his home and ask the owner for the katalyma—the guest room where Christ and His disciples could eat the Last Supper (22:10-12). There, in borrowed space, Jesus instituted what is now called Communion, which foreshadowed His looming crucifixion (vv. 17-20).
We love home, but if we travel with the Spirit of Jesus, even a guest room can be a place of communion with Him.
REFLECT: Where have your most meaningful moments occurred and what made them memorable? When you’re on the road, how might you make the most of your temporary stay for Christ?
PRAY: Dear Jesus, friend of the traveler far from home, please help me to remember You’re always with me.
ALSO, READ Joyce Meyer 11 December 2024 Devotional– A Discerning Heart
Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet
PRAYER OF SALVATION
Accept God’s free gift of Salvation Do you want to have a personal relationship with God? We invite you to accept His free gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)You can pray the following prayer right now to ask God to come into your heart so that you can receive the miracle of new birth:
‘Almighty God, I come to you today. I confess that I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this world, he died on the cross for my sins, and rose again triumphant on the third day. Right now I repent of my sins, and ask Jesus Christ to come into my life to be my Lord and personal Saviour. I believe according to your Word that I am now saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me from my sins. In Jesus Name, amen.’If you have prayed the prayer above – congratulations! There is much rejoicing in heaven!