A V.I.P. Pass

READ PSALM 87

Psalm 87:5-6 (ESV)

⁵ And of Zion it shall be said,“This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. ⁶ The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah

"Can I go with you?"

The young boy said to his father as he was leaving the house to run some errands. The trip would require a stop at the bank, Home Depot, and possibly one more store. The father grabbed the hand-written list of supplies he would need to pick up and bring back to the house. He didn't think his son would enjoy going with him to all those places, but he said to his boy, "Are you sure you want to come?"

"PLEASE," was the reply.

The father smiled and said, "Alright, let's go." He then picked up a pen and said, "Let me add you to my list." The boy cheered as his name was placed upon the list of very important items.

As I was reading Psalm 87 I thought about how God registered his people. What a great joy it was to know that God had chosen a people (the Jews) in the Old Covenant, and that he had written them down as his own.

In the Old Covenant God selected a leader named Moses. Moses was brought up to Mt. Sinai and given the Law so God's people could remain close to him. The commands of the Lord were brought down from the mountaintop for God's people to follow.

Fast forward many years and we read of Jesus the Messiah! He brought a New Covenant, which meant access to the Lord was now available to Jews and Gentiles! Romans 10:9 it says that if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead, you will be saved.

What does being "saved" look like?

Well, instead of God selecting just one man (Moses) to come to the top of a mountain on earth to receive the Law for a select, chosen people; God the Father sent his one and only son down from heaven to die for all people.

Romans 10:9 becomes our request, "Can I go with you, Jesus?" And Jesus says yes. He registers your name on his list. But being added to "the list" should not be all there is.

In my devotion this morning I read John 15. I encourage you to read it as well so you can have a greater understanding of what it means to live an abundant life in Christ. Don't be satisfied with a V.I.P. pass that registers you in heaven without accessing the full benefits of a thriving relationship with Jesus.

John 15:4-7 (ESV)

⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Never underestimate the importance of remaining close to Jesus. Make it a point to wake up every morning and abide in him. Give thanks for your name being registered on his list. Hold dear the V.I.P. pass that is written on your heart. Hebrews 12:22-24 tells us this about or relationship with Jesus:

Hebrews 12:22-24 (ESV)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, ²³ and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Rejoice on this day, my friend. When you call upon the Name of Jesus he writes your name down on his list and he's taking you with him. You have a V.I.P. pass!

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN. If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, CLICK HERE

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