No More Barriers

This week we will be considering the topic of barriers.  Barriers divide and separate us in many ways.  Jesus came to remove the barriers that separated us from God.  Because of Christ's mighty actions, we have "instant access" to our Heavenly Father.  Jesus also showed us how to love others so that we could be united in Christ.  He calls us to remove the walls that separate us from others and to realize that he died for each and every person that ever was, is, or will be alive.

We must work to live out the love that Christ shows us.  We must strive to remove hatred and to bring peace to this troubled world.  It is a tall order.  So many things separate us.  We have been divided for so long that it is hard to see how we could live in unity.

As I was studying for this week's message, I learned a lot about the divisions in the Temple in Jerusalem.  I discovered that there were serious penalties for entering forbidden places.  If  Gentiles ventured inside from their designated court area, they were executed.  The punishment for ignoring a barrier was death.  The divisions between peoples and genders were rigid.  Even the Jewish men had limited access to the Temple.  The temple veil or curtain separated all but the high priests from the most holy area.  When Jesus was crucified, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom.  Jesus opened access to Almighty God.

I am so thankful that I can talk with God anytime and anywhere!  I am grateful that Christ removes barriers.  As I ponder Christ's great deeds, I realize that I am called to work to remove the barriers that separate people from God and from each other.

It is hard to tear down walls and barriers.  In most cases, much effort has gone into the creation of sturdy walls and firm barriers.  Yet, Christ calls us to love all people with the love he shows to all.  We are to love as Jesus loves.

As you pray this week, ask God to help you to identify the barriers in your life and to remove everything that separates you from God and from other people.  Pray that you are filled with the love of Christ and that you will be able to see the world as God sees it.  Reach out to Jesus and reach out to other people.

One of my favorite poems is a short one by E. Markham.  It goes:

He drew a circle that shut me out;
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win;
We drew a circle that took him in.

Start taking others in and embrace the people that God puts in your life.  Work to live without barriers.  Love God and love others.  It is the real way to live.