He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:17-18

When I was a young boy, one of my favorite photos was a picture of John Kennedy, Jr., hiding under his father's desk. Of course, his father was the President of the United States and the desk was in the Oval Office of the White House. I remember wondering what it would be like to have such access to the President. How did it feel to be free to hide under the President's desk? What would it be like to have the President of the United States as my own father?

I won't ever know this feeling. Chances are you won't either. But, according to Ephesians 2:18, you and I have something similar, something even better. According to this verse, we have "access to the Father" through Christ and by the Spirit. The Greek word translated here as "access" (prosagoge) could refer to the invitation to approach a king or the priestly privilege of bringing an offering to the altar in a temple. In either case, such access was a great honor reserved for special people. How much more amazing to be free to approach God the Father, to draw near as a valued subject and a beloved child. This is an aspect of the peace we have with God, that peace which Christ "preached" to both Jews and Gentiles.

Yet, I must confess that I can take for granted this privileged access to God. I find it so familiar to draw near to my Heavenly Father that I can forget to be amazed that he welcomes me into his presence. Perhaps you share my nonchalance sometimes. Yet, whether you do or not, I would invite you to reflect on the fact that, because of Christ's death on the cross, your sin has been washed away. You are now free and welcome to approach the Father. You can hide under God's desk.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Do you take for granted your access to your Heavenly Father? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you regularly make use of this access by approaching God in prayer?  

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to come into your presence. Even more, thank you for inviting me to have intimate fellowship with you, and for making this all possible through Christ.

Forgive me, Lord, when I take for granted the miracle of access to you. Forgive me when I fail to make use of this access. Help me to approach you regularly, humbly, with gratitude, eagerness, and reverence. Amen.

P.S. from Mark: You can see the photo I loved when I was a boy here.