“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2Corinthians 8:9 KJV)
Emily Elliott literally gave her life helping others. She understood the sacrifice that Jesus made in giving himself to all mankind. In 1864, Miss Elliott wrote her famous hymn, Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, to be sung in her father’s church in Brighton, England.
Her hymn follows the story of Christ who gave up his heavenly throne and came to live among mankind. But humans rejected him because he did not fit their idea of a savior. He is the eternal king but came to earth in the humble form of a slave. From the throne of the universe to a stable in Bethlehem. A manger scene became the symbol of his birth.
Many of the common folk received his message of love and hope, acknowledging him as Savior and Lord. The majority, however, rejected him and his message committing him to death as a criminal. He was nailed to a cross on Calvary’s hill because they had no room for him in their hearts. But miracles of miracles, death could not hold him. He arose again on the third day. So the bare cross and an empty tomb became the symbols of his victory.
The Creator born as a humble human and his death on a cruel cross. It is difficult for some to get the mind wrapped around such contradictions. They just don’t seem to go together. Our God’s wisdom, however, is beyond our comprehension. His ways higher than ours, his plan eternal.
Miss Elliott’s hymn continues with Jesus returning one day to take his people home to live in heaven with him. Those who have made room in their hearts for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are his people. Once we understand his birth, life, death and resurrection were all for this eternal purpose, then it is easy to say with Emily Elliott, “O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there’s room in my heart for thee.”
Dear Father, thank you for making room in your heart for us. Grant that each of us will make room in our hearts for your son as our Lord and Savior. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today and make room in your heart for Christ,