1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, March 6, 2011

2 CHRONICLES - All Access Pass

All Access Pass.

Ever had one of those?

It lets you go everywhere, see everything, do anything – it lets you go where only the VIP’s go. It gets you access to the stars…

I can remember a time when I had an "All Access Pass." It was at my dad’s job.

My dad owned his own business. It was a wholesale plumbing and heating supply company. It was the coolest place ever. There were aisles and aisles of little bins full of every sort of pipe you can imagine. There was a hidden loft where all the faucets were kept. There was an open warehouse in the back yard where boxes and boxes of water heaters, and toilets, and sinks were kept.

My dad’s place was a child’s wonderland!

My brother and I would visit all the time. We’d play "hide and seek" among the boxes. We’d go exploring into all the nooks and crannies of the aisles. We’d sit on the loading dock and watch the trucks come and go.

In the back, there was a "Will Call" counter with a gate that said "Employees Only."

Well, I made sure that I always went through that gate when I went to visit my dad. I didn’t do it in a prideful way – I did it because it made me feel really special, really lucky.

I did it because I could…

That was the best part of all. I could – because the boss was my dad.

And I loved that privilege!

Today’s "Bible Pick ‘Ems" reminded me of this story.

"He made the Most Holy Place…Across the entrance of the Most Holy Place he hung a curtain made of fine linen…" (2 Chronicles 3:8a, 14a)

Solomon was in the midst of building the most beautiful Temple. It was a glorious spectacle. An amazing architectural achievement. It was a monument of worship to the one true God.

And in the middle of the Temple was the Most Holy Place. A small room that contained the Ark of the Covenant. A small room that was filled with the glory of the LORD’s presence.

It was the most sacred spot on earth for the Jews. Only the high priest could enter it – and that was only on one day of each year to atone for the sins of the people. Their only access to God was through the high priest.

Until…one day…when something – Someone – changed all that.

RIP!!!

That’s the sound of that same curtain, the one that closed off the Most Holy Place from view, being torn down the middle.

At the death of Jesus, the barrier between God and humanity was split in two. Now all people were given the privilege of approaching God directly through Christ.

We were given an "All Access Pass."

We have the awesome privilege of going in the "Employees Only" gate – because our Father is the boss!

He knows us by name – we’re His kids!

I don’t know about you – but that makes me feel really special, really lucky.


"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place."
(Hebrews 10:19-20)

(Today I am linked with Spiritual Sundays, hosted by Charlotte and Ginger, and Super Sunday, hosted by Peggy)


"When in doubt, search God out!"

13 comments:

  1. When you put it that way, it makes one what to stand erect and stick their chest out. There is no great privilege than to have full access to the King of kings, Lord of Lords.

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  2. I think there is no greater privilege than the priesthood of the believer, and when I stand in that most holy place, I'm reminded of what that one single rip cost my Father.

    And I stand in awe of Him.

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  3. I often wonder what it was like to be in Jerusalem the day that viel was torn into. Thanking the Lord that we can come directly to the throne of grace.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  4. I'm like Joan, I wonder how it was when that veil torn from top to bottom. You think it would have gotten the attention of some of the religious leaders that Jesus perhaps was telling the truth of who he was, but we know the rest of that story. Those who choose to believe in Jesus, though, it is very comforting to know we indeed have all access pass to our Father 24/7!!

    enjoy Sunday Sharon :)

    betty

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  5. Awesome! What a blessing it is to have direct access to our God -- an "All Access Pass"! It is a privilege never to be taken for granted for it was given to us through the greatest sacrifice of all.

    Blessings, Joan

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  6. I am so happy I stopped by. This post really makes me think and makes me proud to know the One who knows all. Thanks kind lady!

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  7. I loved reading this. thanks Sharon ☺☺

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  8. Blessings Sharon...

    Now I love this ALL ACCESS PASS but had no idea how you were going to get from the joys of an all access pass of being privileged at your dad's work through mazes of pipes and bins and boxes to this passage in scripture of the Most Holy Place... in the Tabernacle but by golly...jolly... you did it! And I love it!

    I got the childhood privilege and special place with your dad. I get the beautiful access that we have to the Father because Jesus tore that veil but drawing these two together from that tint verse in 2 Chronicles... I wondered???

    I avoided reading what others wrote ahead of me because I wanted to share my thoughts... But once more, I love how you can take a scripture and relate it to your life (or vice versa,which comes first, the Word or the life experience?)
    Well, any whoooo... your concluding remarks tie this all together! Bravo!!! Once more I am so thankful that I know the "Boss" and even more so
    that the Son gives me an all access pass but mostly that I have the awesome privilege to boldly enter as one of His daughters!!!

    ahhhhhhhhhh the life of a Princess and Royalty!
    I think I needed this today to lift me and my drooping spirit and energize me for the upcoming "40 Days Away 2 Pray" Thanks for following me over there, 'cuz I saw your happy smiling face... makes me feel so honored, blessed and humbled :0)

    Love your BIBLE PICK 'EMS and so glad that each SON Sunday I will be able to visit and comment on SUPER Spiritual Scriptures that you pick! Waitin' for a special pick 'em...

    Love, peace and JOY,
    Peggy

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  9. "we have the awesome privilege of going in the "Employees Only" gate – because our Father is the boss" Amen and Amen

    I feel really special too, there is nothing as great as knowing I have a father that never, ever, ever, fails me; and there are somethings am entitled too, just becuase I have a special place in his heart:)

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  10. WOW!!! What a blessing it was reading your post today.

    Blessings,
    Ken

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  11. What a great post. I would have enjoyed that so much when I was a kid. My dad owned a very small service station for awhile when I was in the 7th grade. I loved it when I could go in there and take all the candy bars I wanted home with me. I would take them home and lay them all out on the bed and look at them. Then I would eat them (one at a time) of course. LOL
    Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  12. Wanda - Yes!! Standing tall and proud as a daughter of the King!

    Debbie - I am also awed by the cost. Overwhelmed by the Love. Totally grateful for the privilege of receiving His grace.

    Joan - I've often wondered that myself. Would I have felt it in my heart? Even if I had seen it, would I have understood? I'm just so thankful to be standing on this side of grace!

    Betty - I know! Sometimes I am tempted to think those people were awfully short-sighted. But then I think of all the times that I have been thick-headed and hard-hearted, even knowing what it all meant. As you said, in spite of my failures, it's an awesome privilege to have 24/7 access!

    Joan - Couldn't agree more - we must never take for granted the wondrous sacrifice that bought that "all access pass"!

    AnnesPhamily - WELCOME! I'm so glad that you stopped by! Feel free to visit again! I am also proud to know the One who knows it all - and to be part of His Body!

    More to follow...

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  13. Sarah - Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed this. It was great to be given access to my dad's work place. But free access to the very throne of God?! Priceless!

    Peggy - First, here's my answer to your question. On this blog, the Scripture comes first, then the story. On the other one, it's usually the story first. However, it ALL comes from the Lord one way or the other. Keep your spirits up - and may God richly bless you as you commit to pray. I'll be in touch!

    Toyin - Yes, with the Lord, "entitlement" can be a good word! He does make us feel so special, privileged. How can we do anything else but worship and praise Him for who He is?!

    Ken - Thanks, friend. Enjoying the presence of the Lord with you!

    Charlotte - You made me smile! I can just picture you doing that! You get it - being able to go places and take home the gifts, because through Jesus' great sacrifice, we hear God say, "Enter."

    GOD BLESS, everyone!

    (Didn't mean to sound like Tiny Tim there!!)

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"So I have been greatly encouraged in the midst of my troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives me new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How I thank God for you!"
(1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!