Fuzzy Rope

The beginning of Acts chapter 3 tells the story of a beggar who sits outside the gate called Beautiful. He’s completely on the outside looking in. Because of his condition, he’s not even allowed into the general courtyard of the temple where even the gentiles (gasp) can come to visit.

Just to get an idea of where this man is: Most Holy Place – Holy Place – Court of Priests – Court of Women – Court of Gentiles – Outside the gate

Put it another way. If the temple was a nightclub: The safe where you keep the really valuable stuff – the Owner’s Office – VIPs – Members – General Admission – Staring Down the Bouncer

And here come Peter and John, busting in like the Miller High Life man. I can almost hear them: “We’re coming for you VIPs, and we’re not the paparazzi.” Seriously. The veil to the Most Holy Place was torn in two on the day of Calvary. Jesus obliterated the need of a VIP section. He barged in past the fuzzy rope, and brought the high life to all those on the outside looking in. And Peter and John recognize that if anyone is in need of the High Life, it’s this man -- crippled since birth, sitting as the lowest of the low out on the street.

There’s really only one requirement to drink in the high life: ask Jesus to add your name to the guest list. But how often do we allow ourselves to get snobby and create some sort of spiritual VIP section?

We create hoops for people to jump through and prices they have to pay so they can drink some of the good stuff. I can just imagine Jesus, shaking his head, bursting onto the scene muttering “Common sense ain’t on the guest list. Na uh.” and packing up what we think is only for the cool kids and taking it out to the rest of his children. Wouldn’t that be a rude awakening?

Take a second to think. If that *did* happen, on what side of the fuzzy rope would you be standing? Are you hoarding the high life? Are you comfortable in a cushy chair, hiding behind a barrier that makes you feel important and special? Maybe you don't mean to be. Maybe since your cooler is full of drinks, it's easy to forget that there are people on the outside who are parched. The truth is, “We’re not all that. I guarantee you that.”

The high life is about celebrating, not separating. Celebrate the freedom, forgiveness, wholeness and high life that comes through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t be a snob and hoard it behind a fuzzy rope. Take it out and share with everyone. That’s where the party is.

“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14