A Reading
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
A Thought
Recently I went to the Kettering Odeon to watch the new Top Gun film. As per the last time I went to this cinema, I went up to the main counter and asked for a ticket for the film, unaware that subtle changes had been made to the foyer configuration.
The server looked at me with pity, identifying before him a person of obviously limited intelligence, and without hesitation led me to the ticket machines that I had walked past.
There he pressed the necessary buttons to choose my film and my seat and directed me to present my contactless bank card against the appropriate reader. ‘Theatre three’ he said as he handed over my ticket from the machine and told me to show it to the attendant at the top of the stairs who will point me in the right direction. He had done everything for me, except pay for the ticket.
God noticed that human creation standing before him is helpless in its ability to follow the Old Testament Law and reach the heavenly theatre. Someone needed to step in to make it happen.
Without any obligation to do so, Jesus stepped forward to show us what we need to do. He has defined the options we need to select (faith and repentance) and then bought our ticket to heaven at his own expense (laying down his life for us). He has even brought along his attendant (Holy Spirit) to point us in the right direction.
There he stands with the ticket to the heavenly theatre held in his outstretched hand toward us.
What happens next is our move.
A prayer
My Lord Jesus Christ,
you have opened the door to heaven.
I put my faith in you and repent of my sins.
Fill me afresh with the power of your Spirit
to serve you faithfully in word and deed.
By your name,
Amen
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