A Good Practice
December 26, 2024
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service
November 30, 2023
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service
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"Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema Sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’"Matthew 27:45-46
“No shirt, no shoes, no service.” A short phrase that outraged the public in the 70’s. Businesses began posting this message on their doors to keep shaggy hippies out. Back then it was an outrage. People felt as though their civil rights to wear what they wanted were being infringed, but today it’s an accepted norm in restaurants and businesses.
There was a moment in time when Jesus was turned away by heaven and earth. He no longer qualified to be in the presence of The Father. He experienced the most severe form of loneliness anyone has ever experienced. All for you and me.
And here is this cry of loneliness. “Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani!” That’s Aramaic for, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me”?
Jesus was smeared with our transgressions. He took our place on that cross – becoming the bridge that allows us to have a relationship with a holy God.
Just like we wouldn’t show up unkempt to court, to church, or a nice restaurant, we must present ourselves holy before the Lord.
Because Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world, we can freely stand before The Father’s throne of Grace.
