How To Enjoy Unhindered Access to the King (Matthew 19:13–26)

The more famous, powerful, and wealthy someone grows to be, the less approachable and available they become. For example, just as most citizens are unable to walk into the office of the Prime Minister to casually discuss public policy so most Roman Catholics can’t schedule a dinner with the Pope to chat theology. Why? Because in our world, one measure of importance is inaccessibility. But that’s not the case with Jesus. Indeed, he who is far more famous, powerful, wealthy, and important than anyone else grants total access to all who want it (e.g., Matt 11:28; John 7:37). Yet, many people—including many Christians—don’t take advantage of the invitation to himself that Jesus offers. Instead, we put barriers between us and him. We hinder the access we have to Christ and, inso doing, trade the peace, joy, and security of being in his presence with the fear, fatigue, and insecurity that comes with being estranged. How can we remove those obstructions so as to enjoy the privilege of unhindered access to the King?