Behind Curtain #1!

There was a long running television game show called "Let's Make A Deal" where people would win something, and then be given the opportunity to either keep it or trade it for whatever was behind a curtain? Sometimes the contestants were happy they traded, sometimes they were not, and other times they wished they had traded. What made the choice difficult was the fact they had no idea what was behind the curtain. It was all a chance whether the trade would be worthwhile or not. The participants would struggle with their decisions as part of the audience would encourage them to trade and others would encourage them to keep what they already had. It was a fun program for the participants and also for the viewers who would laugh, groan, applaud, or cheer, depending on how the selections turned out. However, such is all fine for a television show, but not for life!

God has a curtain. He desires us to have what is behind that curtain. The question is, how willing are we to give up what we already have? On the game show the participants didn't get a glimpse of what was behind the curtain and so their choices were made with the HOPE they had made the best one. God, on the other hand, has given us a peek behind the curtain, so we are not left to chance. Still, even with the glimpse, some seem reluctant to give up what they have and choose the prize behind curtain #1. Even in this world's crowd some cheer on to make the trade while others encourage to hold onto what one already has.

In noting the way opened up for us by Christ, the writer of Hebrews stated. . .

"(19) We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a HOPE that enters into the inner place BEHIND THE CURTAIN, (20) where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." ( Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV)

. . . And . . .

"(19) Therefore, brothers, since we have CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE HOLY PLACES by the blood of Jesus, (20) by the new and living way that he opened for us THROUGH THE CURTAIN, that is, through his flesh," ( Hebrews 10:19-20 ESV)

The HOPE is there behind the CURTAIN. HOPE is anchored there. Jesus has opened the way for us through the CURTAIN. The choice is ours! Have we chosen what's behind the CURTAIN? If so, are we encouraging others to choose that CURTAIN also? Whatever else we possess is not worth keeping compared to what God has for us behind CURTAIN NUMBER ONE! Let our choice always be toward the curtain through which our Lord has gone before us.

Have a great day ACCEPTING GOD'S "DEAL"!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 01/05/1999 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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