My nephew is famous. I don’t put that fact on parade, but he is. Anthony Kiedis is the lead singer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a group that has sold millions of albums. Awhile back I went to watch him perform. Anthony graciously provided me with a backstage pass. That little ticket allowed a select few to walk right past security into the presence of the stars. That was pretty cool! But it doesn’t compare to Jesus' backstage pass. Peter writes about it in one of his letters.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit . . . . who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (1 Peter 3:18, 22 ESV)
The phrase, “bring us to God,” was a technical term. It referred to one who had authority to give you an audience with the king. Peter applies the “backstage” terminology to our relationship with God. In Peter's day, as throughout Jewish history, only the High Priest could go "backstage" into the Holy of Holies to meet with God -- and only one time a year!
Imagine what it would be like to be able to talk with God only once a year! But Jesus, by his death on the cross, gave us a backstage pass to Heaven. He brings us all the way into the very presence of God. And this is a privilege we have every day of the year. Now that is a backstage pass!
The sad thing is that many of us have the pass and never use it! Today, take some time to go “backstage” with God. Thank him for what he has done. Share a problem with him. Confess a weakness. Let him know what is on your heart. Don’t lose the wonder of your backstage pass.
My Prayer: Jesus, thank you for my backstage pass! Forgive me for losing the wonder of what you have done to give me life. Let me never neglect the privilege of bringing my needs "backstage" to you.