No Room
The Light of the World, Holman Hunt, wikiart.org
We all know that there was ‘no room’ at the inn for Mary and Joseph, so he was born in some kind of outbuilding. There was also ‘no room’ in Herod’s kingdom, so the family had to flee to Egypt as refugees. I find this deeply ironic, since Jesus’ mission was to make room for us in God’s kingdom. Reflecting on this, I offer the following short story, which begins in Bethlehem, towards the end of Jesus’ life.
‘A rabbi? Since when have you been interested in rabbis?’ Miriam snorted. ‘A preacher is no reason to shut up shop and take a holiday in Jerusalem!’
‘We haven't been to the feast of tabernacles for years, and it’s my favourite - building a booth on the plain and camping out. It'll be fun.’
‘Fun! Sleeping on the ground, at our age? I don't know what's got into you lately, Josiah. Rabbis and camping, honestly. If you’re going to unearth your long-lost toolbox, try fixing the roof!’ But I stood my ground and we went up to Jerusalem. Miriam grumbled all the way but I could tell she was enjoying herself really.
There were hundreds of pilgrims vying for space to make a shelter and we were late to the party. I thought we'd never find a pitch but a large family moved their cart to make room for us. I set to and built a simple booth while Miriam made friends with the neighbours. At dusk, we all hurried up to the city, singing songs of ascent.
A hush descended as we reached the temple courts. The huge golden lampstand had just been lit. What a sight! It was worth coming just for that. Over to one side, where a large crowd gathered, a voice resonated over the throng,
‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’ It's him!’ I said, reaching for Miriam’s hand. But she was already elbowing her way through the mass.
A confrontation was going on between the preacher and the Pharisees. I couldn't follow it all but, being tall, I could see Jesus over the sea of heads. He was nothing remarkable. How had he gained such a following?
‘If the son of man sets you free you will be free indeed. I know you are Abraham's descendants yet you are ready to kill me’- above all the other heads his eyes found mine and held them, ‘because you have no room for my word.’
The years unravelled and I was standing on the threshold, arms folded, looking down at the couple. The man said,
‘Please sir, my wife is with child and everyone else has turned us away.’ His young wife looked at me wide-eyed and desperate, her hands upon her belly, cradling the child whose time must be near.
But that was the very reason I could not let them in. Miriam was barren and the ache for a child continually broke her heart. So I hardened mine.
‘There's no room here.’ I said and shut the door. Next day, the town was wild with rumours; shepherds, angels and a newborn Messiah, come to save us. Could it be their baby? Then came the soldiers, massacring our infants. Neighbours who had taunted Miriam were now childless too; she comforted them as best she could. And the newborn Messiah? Three decades of wondering – had he survived?
Above the crowd, Jesus’ eyes bore into mine. How could he know? But he did. Long ago I had said no room to the Messiah, but from now on the door to my life would stand open.
