"Access Granted"

Scripture: "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it." -Leviticus 16:15, NIV

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. -Mark 15:38, NIV

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." -Hebrews 4:16

If you are reading this message on today, there's a very good chance you are reading this from your phone or your computer (laptop or desktop). Within this day and age of identity theft on the Internet and theft of important documents and information, wherever we go, the computers require a password. At my workplace, our password is to be at least twelve characters with the use of at least a special character ($, !, etc.), a capital letter, and a number. As you type your password on your computer, it will provide you access to your machine and your files. If we flip the switch spiritually, God has also said to you and me, "access granted". Today's text will provide further understanding on how this statement is reality.

Within today's message, the Father has directed us to three different books. The first of our main scriptures comes from the book of Leviticus. This book, the third in Moses' five Law Books, was written to discuss worship and how the Levites (priests) were to carry out their duties. Within the sixteenth chapter, Moses writes about the Day of Atonement and the things that must take place on this sacred day. The second of our main scriptures comes from the Gospel account according to Mark. Within this chapter, we find our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the cross and the events that occurred while He was on the cross. The final of our main scriptures comes from the book of Hebrews. Within this chapter, the writer discusses the Sabbath rest for the people of God and Jesus being our Great High Priest. These scriptures will bring together the thought and the message of "access granted".

In Chapter 16 of Leviticus, Moses provides the Levites instructions for one of the greater days of the year, known as the Day of Atonement. On this day, Aaron, the chief priest who, along with his sons, was anointed by Moses in Chapter 8, sacrificed two goats on behalf of the sins of him and the Israelites and their rebellion. As Aaron would perform these tasks, he did behind a curtain. This curtain, in Old Testament days, was indicative of where the priests could only go in the Holy of Holies. As a means for payment for the Israelites' sins, blood was required to obtain forgiveness. As one of the main priests, Aaron was charged to slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people, take the blood from it, and sprinkle it on the atonement cover and also, in front of it. The Israelites' access to continue living life was granted through Aaron sacrificing goats and using their blood for their sins.

In the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to Mark, as previously stated, we find Jesus on the cross. Within the juncture of when this scripture was written, Christ gave up the ghost. In other words, He gave His Spirit back to God and He died for you and for me. Even before Christ gave up the ghost and died, He was lashed many times and because of those lashings, He bled! Just as Aaron sacrificed blood for the sins of the Israelites, so did Christ for you and for me! Upon His death, access became granted! It became granted because Mark tells us that within the Temple, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom". That ought to stir your pot right there! What it tells me on today and what it ought to tell you is that no longer do I have to confess my sins to a priest who in turn will pray to God! What it tells me is that I have access to God Himself! If I have access to God Himself, then you have access to God Himself! You have the opportunity to ride the Metro and commune with Him! You have the opportunity to drive your vehicle and commune with Him! you have the opportunity to lay in your bed and commune with Him! You have the opportunity to be working at your computer and commune with Him!

Because you have the access to talk with God through Jesus Christ at anytime, He gives you the way you ought to come to Him. He tells you and I that "let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need". He is telling us not to sugar coat our prayers and talks with Him! He is telling us not to go around the world in 80 days when you can say what's what in 10 minutes. He wants us to come to Him boldly! As we come to His throne of grace boldly, mercy is granted! Grace is granted! Opportunity is granted! His good and perfect will for your life is granted! If you come before the Father genuine, real, and boldly, He will boldly grant you access! He can grant you access because His Son gave His life that we may be able to talk to Him directly! Aren't you glad that you can tell your story to God?

In closing, I am thankful for passwords on today's computers. We could lose some valuable information if we live them out where others can get it. I am even more grateful for the scapegoat, the Lamb, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, who when He died, rent the curtain in two in the Temple, signifying the days of Aaron were over and I have access granted to talk to God myself! Aren’t you glad for the access God has granted to you?