Access makes a difference. Knowing someone can help you land a job. Having a computer increases the learning resources available to your child. Increased access to outside news sources and media outlets helped melt the Cold War. People, including Communist leaders, could see Western lifestyles, make comparisons, and conclude they were falling farther behind. So, when the Berlin Wall fell, the hopes of Eastern Europe rose. Access meant opportunity. Imagine my recent surprise when in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a Christian excitedly showed me a copy of a religious periodical he highly recommended!

Similarly, the Apostle Paul stresses that through Jesus we have access to the Father. If we acknowledge Christ, he will confess knowing us to his Father. Gentiles, formerly separated by the wall of the Old Law, can now unite in allegiance to the Messiah. Access through Jesus Christ brings peace and reconciliation. Christ's kingdom has no barriers, political or geographical, natural or contrived. Of course, capitalism cannot save the world. Only Jesus Christ can. Those born into his family can happily wear the family name. Because of Jesus' access to the Father, we have family all over the world.

Dear Father, Through Christ we boldly approach your throne of grace. We pray that religious doors of access will remain open throughout the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.