Jesus Gives Us Access.

I've been thinking about Easter. Also, I've been pressing into personal worship for a few years. Often I'll head into the Big Room, grab my guitar and worship. Just me, no one looking, no one listening except One. It's been interesting. Sometimes I'm afraid to open my eyes, other times new songs bubble up, and sometimes nothing, just the discipline of leaning in. Many times my prayers, crying out, my heart exposed is given in song. Sometimes I just play softly saying nothing. Once, when my notes and songs seemed to bounce of the floor, I asked, "Are you bored? Same notes, same songs, and my playing is so limited?" I didn't get an answer, but I've continued to venture in, seek His presence, and ask for His power.

One phrase I've found myself repeatedly saying, "Jesus we need you as you really are. Jesus, be who you really are to us in this place. Walk among us." Interesting phrase, Jesus be who you really are to us in this place. Walk among us.

Who is He?
He is salvation.
He is redemption.
He is healing.
He is provision.
He is forgiving.
He is protection.
He is wisdom.
He is comfort.
He is power. 
He is holder together of all things.
He is who He is, and so much more.
He is Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

He has eyes of fire, yet there is kindness in His eyes.
His voice sounds like many waters, yet He often speaks most powerfully in a whisper.
His Spirit is like a flowing river, yet often touches our lives like the early morning dew or a soft spring rain.
When He walks among us He sees, and hears all things.
He is Holy, yet He invites us into His presence.

One thing I do know, I want Him to be who He really is in my life and in my family and in my church. He is the One who gives us access to the Father's love, presence and power.

Below is what I wrote this week for the e'news of The Dayton Vineyard.

For God loved the world so much that he gave
his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

The Father demonstrated His love for His world by giving His one and only Son.

The Son so loved His Father's will and His creation that He willingly gave his life.

The purpose: So that everyone who believes in Him would have eternal life / everlasting life.

This is amazing love! A love that gave His very best, and a love that willingly sacrificed His life for others.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life." Jesus. (John 6:47)

At the moment we believe, we receive everlasting life. The life we now live is an everlasting life that deepens as we experience the love and the knowledge of the Father through the Son experienced by the agency of the Holy Spirit. (I know run on sentence but couldn't say it in another way.)

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

 

R.C. Sproul expresses the thought this way:

"The moment Jesus died, the instant the just one died for the unjust, the veil in the temple was torn. The presence of God became accessible to us. We now have access to His grace (*which brings peace) but even more we have access to Him. (*His presence) Now we can feel welcome in the very presence of a Holy God."

The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul

*my note

This is the good news Jesus brings... we have access.

His sacrifice for our sins brings us peace.
His resurrection to life ensures our confident access into the presence of our loving Father.

To fear and yet to be unafraid is an interesting experience.

R. C. Sproul sums it up:

"But when we come, we must remember two things: (1) who He is; and (2) who we are. For the Christian the holy war is over; the peace has been established. Access to the Father is ours. But we still must tremble before our God. He is still holy."

The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul

This Easter I'd invite you to be thankful for His peace, and to press into His presence as you worship Him who is worthy.