He Chose The Nails by Max Lucado

Author:Max Lucado
Language: eng
Format: mobi, pdf
Tags: Christian
Published: 2011-09-30T10:54:45+00:00

9

“I Invite You into My Presence”

God’s Promise Through the Torn Flesh

We can enter through a new and living way that Jesus opened for us. It leads through the curtain—Christ’s body.

Hebrews 10:20

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:18 niv

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 niv

Imagine a person standing in front of the White House. Better still, imagine yourself standing in front of the White House.

That’s you on the sidewalk, peering through the fence, over the lawn, at the residence of the president. That’s you—in fine form—hair in place and shoes shined. That’s you turning toward the entrance. Your pace is brisk and stride sure. It should be. You have come to meet with the president.

You have a few matters you wish to discuss with him.

First, there is the matter of the fire hydrant in front of your house. Could they soften the red just a shade? It’s too bright.

Then there’s the issue of world peace. You are for it—would he create it?

And lastly, college tuition is too high. Could he call the admissions office of your daughter’s school and ask them to lighten up? He might have some influence.

All worthy issues, correct? Won’t take more than a few minutes. Besides, you brought him some cookies that he can share with the first lady and the first puppy. So with bag in hand and a smile on your face, you step up to the gate and announce to the guard, “I’d like to see the president please.”

He asks for your name, and you give it. He looks at you and then at his list and says,

“We have no record of your appointment.”

“You have to have an appointment?”

“Yes.”

“How do I get one?”

“Through his office staff.”

“Could I have their number?”

“No, it’s restricted.”

“Then how can I get in?”

“It’s better to wait until they call you.”

“But they don’t know me!”

The guard shrugs. “Then they probably won’t call.” And so you sigh and turn and begin your journey home. Your questions are unanswered and your needs unmet.

And you were so close! Had the president stepped out onto the lawn, you could’ve waved, and he would’ve waved back. You were only yards from his front door … but you might as well have been miles. The two of you were separated by the fence and the guard.

Then there is the problem of the Secret Service. Had you somehow entered, they would have stopped you. The staff would have done the same. There were too many barriers.

And what about the invisible barriers? Barriers of time. (The president’s too busy.) Barriers of status. (You have no clout.) Barriers of protocol. (You have to go through the right channels.) You leave the White House with nothing more than a hard lesson learned. You do not have access to the president. Your chat with the commander in chief? It ain’t gonna happen. You’ll have to take your problem about peace and your question about the fire hydrant with you.

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