GET IN LINE
Psalm 24:7 – Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
When a team does something big or extraordinary, and sometimes even when they don’t, fans are there to receive them when they come back on the team bus or the chartered plane. What surprises me is when the team comes back in during the late hours of the night, and fans are still waiting at the airport to welcome them home. Movie premieres have the same reception. Perhaps the movie releases at midnight, but fans are there hours ahead of time, just waiting to get a ticket, waiting to be one of the first to experience the new show. Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone or new iPad, people line up to get one of the first cracks at holding, using and owning one of their favorite products.
It’s a sad commentary on human nature that we get so excited and will spare no effort or expense when it comes to sports, movies, technology, toys, etc., but when it comes to greeting Jesus, there is no line waiting to see him. I’ve never gotten to church on a Sunday morning, only to find people camped out front so they could get a good seat. Sometimes, people are trying to sneak in after the opening without being noticed. It’s just as rare to find people who are so excited to study the Bible that they’ll put off everything else so that they can be there. It’s far more normal that I need to remind people that there is a Bible study happening. I can’t speak about your devotional lives, but how excited are you to get after those in the morning to meet with Jesus in his Word? I’ll admit that sometimes I’m chomping at the bit to spend time in the Word, but more often, it becomes a chore.
David calls us out and calls us to get in line to see Jesus! David would have us be a little like Zacchaeus in our desire to see Jesus. He ran ahead on the path where Jesus was walking and then climbed up in a tree so that he could see Jesus. Or maybe a little bit like the woman who was bleeding for years on end and no doctor could give her healing. She pushed through the crowd just so she could touch the hem of Jesus’ robe. Or maybe like the crowds on Palm Sunday. Pharisees be damned, they and their children were going to praise Jesus! They were going to welcome him, their King! Or maybe like David, when he danced before the Lord and his wife thought he was nuts.
And why wouldn’t we? Why wouldn’t we run ahead to get a good look at Jesus and a good seat in church? Why wouldn’t we push our way through the crowd just to touch the hem of his robe? Why wouldn’t we dance like we were made and sing no matter what people say? Jesus comes to meet us in power and in glory. Jesus comes to meet us as the Lord of hosts, the God of angel armies. Jesus comes to meet us in Word and sacrament. Let’s get in line to greet him. Hurry up! There’s no time waste.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, as I examine the things that captivate my heart and get me really excited, it’s not you. I confess that with shame. I get excited about new clothes, a movie, a game, even a phone. But when it comes to you, many times, it feels like a chore and a challenge to drag myself to the place where you tell me that you are. I’m sorry. I’ve gotten caught up in the wrong things. Forgive me. Help me to refocus my heart and my life on you. Help me find joy and excitement in word and worship, sacrament, and sermon. Help me push everything else to the side in my life so that I may seek you, find you, and then receive you as you are. You are the Lord of hosts, my Savior! Amen.
This Sunday, we’ll line up to see the King as we celebrate the power and strength that comes because Christ is King. Everything is powerful and strong about his Word this weekend. Last week we mourned, lamented, and lifted our hearts to God. This week we rise in the strength and power of the Word and of the Word made flesh.
For all other news and notes, see the Mount Weekly. Please note especially the fellowship and service opportunities surrounding the Thanksgiving Meal and our Annual CHili-Cook-off.