March 26

The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. — Ps 87:2 BSB

What are gates for? They serve two purposes—entrance and exit. Zion also has her gates, both of exit and entrance; she has gates of access to God, an entrance into the presence of the Most High—a "door of hope" opened in the "valley of Achor." And who has opened this door, or rather, who is not only the opener of it but also the Door itself? Jesus says, “I am the Door.” And wasn’t this door opened through His pierced flesh? As the Apostle says, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.” Through His wounds, His pierced side, His nail-pierced hands and feet, there is now access to God: “A door of hope is opened wide in Jesus’ pierced hands and side.”

Is there any other way to access God but through the slain Lamb? "Through Him we have access by one Spirit to the Father." No other way exists, for Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by Him.” Isn’t this an open way? Doesn’t the soul walk in and out through this door, finding pasture and entering into the presence of God? Do you ever find access to God, a heart to pray, a sense of acceptance in prayer, an open door, and power to enter in? What opens that door? Is it merit? If merit were the way, we would all be condemned. It is not by merit—great or small—but by the blood of the Lamb that a way is opened for lost sinners to draw near to God.