We’ve all done it so fess up. Buying a cheaper ticket that is in the high
heavens at the ball park, and then moving down to a better seat to watch the
game. Hoping not to get caught and have to move, but increasing the possibility
of embarassment or being removed altogether. Why spend so much when you can
wait a few innings and then down, or up? But we all do it, which is why at
concerts the front row seats cost more, and at fights being ringside demands a
bigger price. We all want to be as close to the action as possible, we just
don’t want to pay the price. Steak habits on a Mickey D’s budget. But being on
the inside or up front gives you that special feeling, a sense of importance,
and bragging rights-I was there, you weren’t. So you pays for your ticket and
you takes your chances as they say.....
When sponsoring off road teams, the SODA series was just coming to
California. I had made arrangements to sponsor a new team out of Wisconsin,
Jack Flannery and his sons, we had never met and done the whole deal over the
phone. They were champions in the series and well known, racing against a
pre-NASCAR Jimmie Johnson, and I was looking forward to meeting them. So up to
Glen Helen we went, with my son Andrew and nephew Danny who both loved the
races. Both about 10, the sights, sounds, and smells were too much for little
boys, of all ages. I had met with their crew chief I knew,who got us in for
free, and after the first race, we would meet at the pits and be introduced.
Jack won the first heat with is sons right behind, and a huge crowd was loving
it. And they were twenty deep at the pit after the race. When I called out to
Brady, who waved me in....
With the two boys stuck to my side. He introduced me to Jack and his sons,
and Jack immediately tore off a piece of his fender that was damaged in the
race, signed a piece for both, and handed to them. They could barely say
thanks! After they had a tour while Jack and I talked, they walked through the
crowd with their trophies, you cannot imagine how cool they felt, I know how
their dad did. They had got to go behind the scenes, past the barrier, were
welcomed and left with a prize that hung on their walls for years. Knowing
someone on the inside got them in, and while others wished they could get a
closer look, they went behind the scenes. They probably remember more about
that than the race!
All churches have a set of rules for taking communion. I once approached a
pastor afterwards asking him “why do you tell everyone to be a part of God’s
family, to accept Jesus, but then tell them unless they do they cannot take
communion at your church? Judas took it with Jesus, and wasn’t saved? It’s
like you tell them you can come in but you cannot use the bathroom. Go
elsewhere.” He argued that he used it as an evangelistic tool, I argued it was
the spirit’s job to save. Stuck in his ways, we parted, and it still is a
ritual instead of a special time at his church. Maybe some insight as to
another of his writings may help.
When Jesus was on the cross, the earth shook, it got dark, and the veil in
the temple, which was said to be three feet thick, was torn from top to bottom.
Previously only the priests could gain entrance, now all men, both Jew and
Gentile could through the grace of God, by which we are saved, lest no man
should boast. The Holy of Holies that was behind the curtain and represented
the law gave way to grace, and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Back
then it was thousands of rules to obey, much like religion tells us today, but
God says different. He invites all to enter through Jesus Christ, the only way,
and you don’t have to nor can you work to gain entrance. Like knowing the
Flannery’s got me in, knowing Jesus gets you in. With all the benefits, you can
take communion alone or at a service, it is personal, and even use the bathroom
if needed. No restraints on grace except those that legalism puts on us. Which
the legalistic will argue, missing out on the entire grace that the spirit
offers. They are the ones behind the barrier of laws, trying to figure out how
to get the better seat by working on it, even if it takes sneaking in.
Neglecting that Jesus told them “if you live by the law, if you break one law
you have broken them all.” And you are passing on grace......still have to
go?
Bottom line we are saved by grace, all are welcome, and Jesus welcomes you
today. The spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing, John 6:63. What
are you counting on? It should be a who. There are lots of free seats still
available in heaven, no ticket office can offer them. Enter into fellowship
with Jesus today, sit at the table and eat, and afterwards, grab a magazine, or
even a Bible, and head for the head. Jesus wants you to enter and you can use
the bathroom, even the kitchen. Remember, Judas had the seat of choice at the
table that night, and Jesus still called him friend, knowing what he would do.
You don’t have to hold it any longer, come on in! That day Jack gave a bit of
himself to those two boys. Jesus gives us all, only he saves. And at today’s
prices, that’s a miracle!
Or you could still be just a face in the crowd trying to figure out how to
get in......how long can you hold it?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com