#339.1 – “The Fort Builders”

“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” - Hebrews 9:15
The last time we were at my parent’s house, Grant and Joshua decided to build a fort using two fold-out cots they use to sleep on when there. They turned them on their sides… folded them a bit so they would stand up… brought them somewhat close together, leaving just enough room for a ‘gate’… and immediately established the rules of how to get in or out.
The only way in through the gate was to use a password. They decided what the password was and then told me, so I could get in. They agreed that the password was only needed to get in; you did not have to use it to get back out. After several times of going in and out of the gate – and having to use the password each time to get back in - they decided they would create a ‘secret’ entrance just for those of us who were part of the ‘in’ crowd, and the password no longer was necessary for the three of us.
When the boys set up their ‘rules’ for the fort, they had already decided in their minds that they wanted me to be in there with them. So when the rules would have kept me out, they gave me what I needed to get in. And when the password-system proved exhausting, they established a new system, which made the old one unnecessary.
That is exactly what God has done for you and me. He decided ahead of time that He wanted you and me to have a relationship with Him. But He saw that the rules and works-system would only keep us out… so He created a new system - one based on faith in His Son Jesus, who met the requirements of the law and fulfilled all of its demands. Now we can gain access to God by simply trusting in what Jesus has done in paving the way for us. In fact, He didn’t just pave the way; He IS the way.
Let us celebrate the standing we have because of what Christ has done for us. And if you know of someone who is still on the other side of the gate, show them the Way.

Daniel