While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for the baby to be born, 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 2:6–7 (NIV)
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth tells us that Jesus was placed in a manger because there was no “guest room” available. Katalyma,
the Greek word the NIV translation renders at “guest room” is translated “inn” in other translations. (This has resulted in an innkeeper being added to many Christmas programs.) According to Greek scholars, guest room is likely the better translation as it refers to a spare room on the upper floor in dwellings of this era. There was probably no innkeeper turning them away from an inn with no vacancy.
The guest room was evidently full due to the extra guests in town for the census, so Mary had to give birth in the lower level of the house. Animals were allowed to enter the lower level, so a feeding trough (manger) was part of the standard furnishings.
Katalyma occurs two other places in the Bible: In the gospel of Luke and in the parallel passage in the gospel of Mark. The disciples asked Jesus where he wanted to observe the Passover meal. Jesus had obviously already made arrangements for this important meal because he gives them specific instructions about the location.
“As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” Luke 22:10–12 (NIV)
I think there is some significance to these two guest rooms.
The first guest room was not available because of the crowd;
there was just too much going on in Bethlehem to accommodate the Messiah. Isn’t that just like most people today? They’re just too busy to fit Jesus into their lives. They push him to the side; they may see him but there is just too much going on to accommodate the Messiah. Making room for the Savior is just not a priority.
The second guest room was available because Jesus made sure
it would be. Isn’t that just like Jesus? He wasn’t so preoccupied by what was going on in his life (it was a lot!), that he didn’t consider the importance of spending his last few hours with his disciples. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost and he never forgot that mission. Making room for the disciples was a priority for Jesus.
While Jesus was in that guest room with his disciples, he made them a promise. By establishing the Lord’s Supper – to be celebrated until he comes to earth the second time –he extended that promise to all who make him Lord:
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2–3 (NIV)
The world didn’t have room for Jesus, but he gave his life to ensure there would be room for all who would accept him. Now he is preparing rooms for all of us so we can dwell in them with him for eternity.
Jim