Who is fit?
by Marlene Cooper
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Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? (Psalm 15:1)
I marvel at the enormous commitment of athletes preparing major competitions. For example, to be eligible for the Olympic team demands a level of fitness and stamina far beyond the reach of most of us. I imagine that to excel at this level means taking on a fitness and training regime that must surely be all-consuming. What kind of people are those who actually make the team, I wonder?
The psalmist David ponders a similar question: who is fit to enter God’s house or even ‘dwell’ in the holy place of worship? The Message Bible asks more colloquially: ‘God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?’ David provides a qualifying list. These virtues will open the door to the holy place and allow you to walk on God’s holy hill: walking blamelessly, living righteously, speaking the truth, never speaking ill of others, doing no harm, keeping promises, being honest in business and behaving honourably towards fellow-believers while avoiding anyone whose life doesn’t measure up (verse 2–4). And David concludes, ‘Those who tick these boxes will never have to worry – they’re in!’
Did you, like me, find yourself taking a mental step back as you read these words? Did you feel totally disqualified and unfit right from the start? Who on earth can meet this standard?
There is one – only one – who measures up. Jesus has offered his blameless life on our behalf. He is the one who is fit to climb the holy hill and enter the holy place. His cross reveals a level of ‘fitness’, love, purity and compassion none of us could achieve or imagine. He carried it to Calvary, taking us with him, so that by his dying and rising, God’s doors would always be open for us. In him, we may now go up to God’s house rejoicing, confident of a welcome.
So, what kind of people can get invited to dinner at God’s place? With Jesus, we are the people! We may enter the holy place with clean hearts and a full assurance of finding God’s grace ready to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Because of Jesus, we may live on God’s holy hill and dwell in his holy place because it is there that the cross of Jesus is the pledge that we are, indeed, on God’s guest list.
Lord Jesus, thank you that you have opened the way for us to come joyfully into the Father’s presence. In all our need, may we find grace to help, mercy for sin and joy to worship as we come in with you. Amen.
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