Access

There's a travel show that Laurie and I like to watch in our free time (when we have any), and they offer up a certain travel tip often enough that I find myself thinking about it a lot. They show the guide in front of a museum or popular tourist site. Behind him we see a line of people waiting to get in that wraps around the block while he informs us that you can get reservations in advance to bypass this line. And, indeed, we watch as the guide walks right past all those people in line to a special entrance where he holds up a piece of paper and walks right in.

On one hand, you feel good that the host has given you this great tip, and you identify with him because you want to be the smart person with inside knowledge and instant access. On the other hand, I always picture myself as the poor schlub who is in the third hour of his wait in line watching some guy with a camera crew walk right in ahead of me because he knows something I don't.

Friends, you have heard me talk about the embarrassment of riches we have in the availability of God's Word and how well we would do to make use of this treasure which so many saints before us earnestly yearned for. Now I have another tip for you as we travel as pilgrims in this dark world.

When Christ died upon the cross, he cried out and yielded up His spirit, “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51). That veil represented the separateness of our Holy God. As sinners we are separate from Him. When Christ died to atone for our sins (and was raised from the dead on the third day) he gave us direct access to God the Father. Prior to this only priests could enter that veil and only under certain circumstances. Before Christ's birth, his people who looked forward to the coming Messiah yearned for that reconciliation and access to God.

Now we who trust in Christ have direct access. We can come before our holy God clothed in Christ's righteousness. What a glorious thing it is to be able to approach the throne in prayer at any time. I urge you to do so without ceasing. If you are always in prayer, you will always have the presence of God before you as your daily guide. A heart filled with God's Word and prayer is a heart that will not soon forget Him!

But we do not walk alone. We are part of Christ’s church—His body. We are called to worship and pray corporately and to be strengthened in our togetherness to do the job he has called us to do: to glorify God, to spread the Gospel, and to make disciples together. The throne room is open to us as a church. Let’s take every opportunity to enter and pray together.

Paul, writing about his trials, says, “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (2 Cor. 1:11). Paul wants his brothers and sisters in Christ to be praying for him. He knows it is critical for the success of his ministry. I know I, and the other leaders in this church, very much want you to be praying for us and with us!

We are in ministry together. The things we do in this church, which include gathering together to pray, are the things we are created to do. As the author of Hebrews says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). Please join us as we go to Him together in prayer.

If the Gospel is true (and it is), then it is the most important thing in our lives. The glory of God and His Gospel is, in fact, the meaning of life. Do you sometimes struggle with the absurdity you see all around you in this world? The answer can only be found in God's kingdom, and the door to that kingdom is open now. We need a Savior, and only Jesus Christ will do. In him you’ve been given access! Don’t wait to enter. Avail yourself of that access now!