When I was a child, Monopoly was one of my most favourite board games. We could play for hours to acquire the most property. The main objective was to own a couple of hotels on Eloff Street. With hard work, good planning and a bit of luck here and there you could eventually become a property mogul. Some of us colluded to have another player declared bankrupt. Some crooked and borrowed money from the bank and “forgot” to pay it back. Yes, not every player’s strategy smelt so fresh.
I was totally afraid of going to jail because it would be fatal to have to sit out a couple of rounds. The best of all for me was to land on the “chance” space and, best of all, to get a “Get out of jail free” card. This card could give me that extra little push to eventually win the game.
Monopoly is just a smaller version of life. We all start life on an equal footing. We arrive with nothing.
Some people play nicely according to the rules and become very successful. Others don’t and also become very successful. Some often take a turn in jail because of the choices they make.
But eventually, after our life on earth, we’re all on the way to the eternal jail, or as the Bible calls it, eternal damnation. Those who call a spade a spade simply calls it hell. This final destination is what we all deserved as a result of the many, many sins we commit. We deserved it 100%.
But God could not bear this happening to each of His creatures. 9God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. 10He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him!
In real life, there is a “Go to heaven” card for each of us. You don’t deserve it but you receive it, because you see, Jesus paid for it. He paid dearly with His blood and life. Yes, heaven is free, but it cost so very much. The life of our King God’s Son.
Most wonderful of all is that everyone can have it. You don’t have to have luck on your side, like in Monopoly, to end on the “chance” block by chance. No, everybody can receive this “Go to heaven” card.
Go and live a life of joy and unending peace and show every Tom, Dick and Harry your “Go to heaven” card.
Reflection
Have you picked up your card?
Have you shown it to others?
Who do you have to show it to today or tomorrow?
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, that I have a place in heaven because You were prepared to bear the punishment for my sins. I want to show my gratitude by living a life of obedience to You. My heart overflows with joy. Amen.