Pastor’s Corner | Best seats still available

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Have you ever thought much about seating? Like when you go to the movies, do you like to sit up front, in the middle or in the back?

OK, let’s face it, the only people sitting on the back row are teenagers. When I go to a concert I like to sit as close to the front as possible, and I hate sitting in the back. However, when I went to Sea World and saw Shamu the killer whale I chose to sit farther back.

I did not want to be in the splash zone.

I’m a youth pastor, so it is funny to me how you can almost tell the age of certain students by where they will sit. Usually a seventh-grader that is new to the group will want to sit on the back row out of the action. Ninth- and 10th-graders like to be on the second or front row so that they can be a part of the action. Seniors are hard to predict. They will be on the front or the back. Really, it is wherever they decide they want to sit for that event.

There are certain times that the front row will be reserved for special people.

At a funeral, it is usually reserved for the family. It is a time when we show our respect to them and are not envious to be sitting where they are.

But, there is a place that you can have a front row seat and you can’t buy a ticket. There is a place that you can get a front row seat and you can’t sell your ticket. There is a place that has front row seat that is reserved for scum of the earth.

There is a place that you can get a front row ticket that cost a man his life. This front row ticket is free for you, but cost His Father His only Son.

Revelation 3, 4 and 5 is a small window into the future of heaven. God has chosen not to give us all the details of what it will be like when Christians will finally get there, but we get this glimpse. “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev 3:21 ESV)

So, wait a minute! You mean to tell me that the God of the universe sent His Son to die on the cross for the punishment that is rightfully mine, and then He will allow me to sit with Him on His throne?

Yes, for those who call on the name of Jesus will be saved, and have a front row seat as the angels sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” (Rev 4:8 ESV)

I have my ticket paid for by the blood of the Lamb and my reservation date is already confirmed. What about you?

Do you want to know more about this God who is willing to die for you and then allow you a seat as the angels proclaim “‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever (Rev 5:12-13 ESV)!’”

If so, I would love the opportunity to share more about Jesus and salvation that He offers.

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Editor’s note: Michael Smith is the youth pastor of First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Church, Pages 2 on 09/22/2010