Hey! Were You born in a barn? You left the door open!

Saturday   12-12-15  Home in Modesto 

Scripture reading:    Heb 5 – 8  

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Heb 7:23-25 “...there were many priests under the old system. When one priest died, another had to take his place.  But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end.  Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.” NLT

O.  The writer of the book directed to Hebrew Christians points out the differences between the Old and the New Covenants.  A priest is a mediator between man and God.  One feels unworthy to approach God so he goes to a priest.  Sometimes Roman Catholics are surprised when we pray, talking with Our Father God so freely in the name of Jesus.  They are used to a religious system modeled after the Old Covenant and seem to be surprised by the freedom given us through Jesus as He invites us to come boldly to the throne of the Father.

A.  When I was young and would come running into the house and leave the door open behind me, my dad would yell, “Hey, were you born in a barn?  You left the door open!”  I would have to run back and close the door since it was allowing the cold winter air to enter.

 

Now I imagine Jesus returning to heaven after He has completed His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection.  He bursts into the Holy of Holies and an angelic guard yells. “Hey, were You born in a barn?  You left the door open!  Oh!  You were born in a barn!  Now through that open door any old repentant sinner can come bursting into the Holy of Holies with access to the throne of God!”  And Jesus just smiles!

P.  Oh Father God, Your Son Jesus, my Heavenly Priest, has opened the access to Your throne!  He is truly the Way, the Truth and the Life.  It was Your plan from before the Creation of the world.  Now the door remains open for every repentant sinner to come to You through Your Son, Jesus, the Way, the only Way... for He declares that “No one can come to the Father except through me.”  (John 14:6-7)  Help us to get the word out.  The door is open to “Friendship with God!”  Amen.

Ralph