Behind The Curtain
Many years ago, I watched The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. I often wondered what it was like behind the curtain. On more than one occasion, I’ve sat in the audience and watched as people appeared from behind a curtain or behind the stage and wondered what it was like back there. As I grew older and had the opportunity to meet people back stage, I realized that for some, it’s simply part of the show. For others, the back stage is simply a smooth way for them to move onto the stage and perform. The curtain keeps us anticipating who is back there and what will happen next. I’ve had the privilege to lead the church in worship for the past several years. I enjoy singing songs that honor the Lord and engage the church to come along on a journey of Worship. This privilege to come directly before the Lord with the curtain taken down, was brought about by Jesus’ death. He was the final sacrifice needed for sin and He gave us access to the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. When He died, the curtain that shielded the Most Holy Place was torn open. We now have direct access behind the curtain to Creator God. Check this out….
19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.(Hebrews 10:19-25 NLT)
When Jesus came, He brought us access behind the curtain into the very Presence of God. He also revealed the heart of God to the world. Jesus introduced us to a very personal and loving God. Jesus introduced me to God, Who is full of Grace & Mercy. Jesus brought forgiveness of sin, once and for all, with His death. I don’t have to anticipate what is going on behind the curtain, I can walk right in to the Most Holy Place of God’s Presence. I am treated like I really belong in the Presence of God. I am encouraged to also bring others into His Presence. The Lord’s Heart for His creation is massive. He is incredibly patient as it takes some people a long time to surrender and trust His heart.
I don’t know all that there is to know about the Lord. I do know that He loves me profoundly and He didn’t just say He loved me. He showed me that He loved me when He surrendered to death on a cross to give me direct access behind the curtain to God Himself. I can’t always wrap my mind around all of this, but I know what it’s like to go behind the curtain and what goes on behind there is simply forgiveness, mercy and grace.
Pressing On!
Dwayne