This past weekend our city held its annual Decatur Celebration. There were all kinds of folks out to eat fried foods, listen to all different kinds of music, and interact with merchants and vendors from all over the area. While it might not compare to venues like Madison Square Garden, it’s a neat place to see the city come alive and gather together in a unique way.

We were talking about the Celebration in youth group on Sunday morning, especially about one of the main acts- Vanilla Ice. People shared that when the rapper took the stage, people got excited. Time stood still…and maybe even rewound a bit back to the 90’s. But no matter. It was awesome, they said.

One of the things that stuck out to me was hearing people described how his show, quite literally, united the crowd. When the instant classic Ice Ice Baby started to play, the place went crazy! People of all ages, color, and culture joined together to get down to the beat. Grandmas groovin’ with little ones. Dads embarrassing the rest of their family. It didn’t matter who you were or who was watching- this was your moment. And everyone shared the moment together.

I think that what was created at that stage Saturday night is special. It’s special because it reminds me so much of the way that Christ has worked in the world.

That’s right. I just compared Jesus and Vanilla Ice. Before you tell Pastor Wray let me finish 🙂

In John chapter 12 Jesus said, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 

Jesus had something big in store for all the people in Jerusalem. Only Jesus didn’t say this to describe some big show he was going to put on. Jesus said this because He was describing the way He was going to die. His brutal death on a cross would draw all kinds of people to Him. Some would come to be entertained. Some to say, “I told you so.” Some would wail in horror.

All would receive the power to be called sons and daughters of God through the forgiveness won in that act.

When Jesus’ life was ended on the cross, we are told the curtain in the temple was torn in two- top to bottom. The holiest of all holy places in the Jewish system of worship was now visible and approachable upon Jesus’ death. We understand that to mean that now all are privileged and welcome to stand before God and His altar, regardless of the categories we’ve been placed and labeled in life. The Gospel has equal and unconditional access into the hearts of every person, no matter who we are or what we’ve done. All people belong to God, because all people are drawn to Christ and invited to be clothed in His death and resurrection.

That’s a beautiful picture of the Church. All our differences, our quirks, perspectives, and individuality, are overshadowed by the all-encompassing Body of Christ. Sometimes I wish the visible Church here on earth were more representative of this Gospel reality. I know this will be the picture of the visible Church in heaven, where there will be a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

And as catchy as Ice Ice Baby might be, our song will be different. The song uniting us will be, ““Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb…Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Enjoying the Journey,

Pastor Doug