Right of Admission Reserved
Matthew 25:31-46
We are bombarded daily with different offers: discounts on this, free offers on that, last chance to get your copy of the other. So many of these unbelievable offers are just that – unbelievable.
Even the genuine offers come with fine print at the bottom, sometimes saying: Terms and Conditions apply. And sometimes those Ts&Cs are so out of reach that they make the offer onerous and beyond our reach.
Another restriction we sometimes encounter is ‘Right of Admission Reserved’. It might be an age restriction, gender restriction, or, in the dark days of Apartheid in South Africa – a race restriction. Sometimes it might be as simple as no entry if wearing shorts and sandals – Right of Admission reserved.
Who owns the right to restrict admission to a facility or venue? It would be reasonable to think that the owner or operator of a facility or establishment would have the right to set conditions for persons entering the premises or using the facilities. After all, the owner has conceptualised offering a service or convenience for the use of the community. The owner has invested time and human resources to get the facility up and running. The proprietor has ensured that all the statutory and legal requirements have been met.
Interestingly, we accept that the owner or operator of a service has the right to determine the activity and actions of those who utilise the facility. Yet, society objects to being told how to behave or what is appropriate or having to adhere to notices and signs such as no parking in a parking bay for the disabled, no talking in a library, or no eating in an Uber. We claim it’s our right; we are entitled to behave however we choose.
We see this in children where the famous question is asked, ‘But why?’. Later it becomes a challenge to the parent's authority when the teenager does something just because they were told not to. And before the adults nod their heads and click their tongues, don’t we sometimes find ourselves on an empty road with a powerful car, and we say, “the road is clear; this car is comfortable at 150 km/h . . .” and we press that accelerator a little bit closer to the floor?
As humans, we seem wired to go against the instructions of authority. The western culture that shapes our thinking teaches us to be critical, independent thinkers, and decide for ourselves. While this philosophy has its place, do we not sometimes take it beyond making wise choices, weighing up the pros and cons of a situation, and conducting a risk/benefit analysis when confronted with a dilemma? Is the danger not that, in our individualistic society, we run the risk of everyone doing what is right in their own eyes?
It reminds me of Eve faced with the choice when confronted with the question, ‘Did God actually instruct you not to eat of any of the trees in the garden?’. Eve correctly answers that God did not restrict them from eating from all the trees but only from the tree in front of which she was standing. And there begins the slippery slope of questioning the credentials of the Creator, the Owner, the Proprietor. Gen 3:6 says, ‘So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate…’ God, the Ultimate Authority, says, but I, the creation, think… God, the Creator, Originator of Life, Provider of sustenance and Ruler of the Universe, the Essence of Love, directs us on a path of ultimate victory and eternal life is matched up against the word of a slithering, slinking, sardonic, sassy, self-serving serpent – the embodiment of Satan himself. And what does Eve do? ‘She took of its fruit and ate…’
When Moses was confronted with the instruction not to strike the rock, his temper got the better of him. So he hit the rock arising from his anger against the people, contrary to God’s word.
When Saul was confronted with the instruction not to take the spoils of battle, he went against the prophet's instruction, blaming his choice on peer pressure – it was the people.
When confronted with the response of Christ to the question, what must I do to be saved, the rich young ruler went away sorrowful because the counsel of the Creator Messiah went against his choices and priorities – for he had much wealth.
Solomon said, ‘There is a way that seems right to us, but the end – nothing good will come of it. On the contrary, it leads to destruction – self-destruction.
God, the Owner, Proprietor, Creator, Provider and Sustainer, exercises His right by setting His Terms and Conditions. He reinforces His authority by declaring: Right of Admission Reserved.
But can I share a secret with you? With His terms and conditions and His Right of Admission, there is no fine print to trip you up. On the contrary, his terms and conditions are set up in such a way that you will find it extremely hard not to be granted admission—no hidden clauses, no complicated jargon.
He says,
‘Come unto me, those who are tired and straining under the burdens of this sin-cursed world, and I will give you rest.’
‘I love the world so much that I gave My Son, Jesus so that everyone who believes in Him will not face an eternal death but is guaranteed life without end.’
‘I am coming back to this earth to fetch My children – those who have accepted My gift on the cross and allowed My robe of righteousness to cover their sins – and take them home with Me to be with Me forever.’
‘It may seem that I am taking long to come back, but I’m delaying My return so that you will be saved – so that no one will miss this out-of-this-world experience.’
Institutionalised religion will, as in the time of Christ, make up a list of rules and rituals you must observe to be granted admission into God’s kingdom. As with the Pharisees, you will hear arguments about returning tithe on gross vs net; proper attire for church; acceptable music styles; what to eat and what not to eat.
Are these things important? Of course, they are. But listen to the words of the Owner, the Creator, the Proprietor – the one who has the copyright to the rules and laws, the Terms and Conditions: ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law’. And what are those weightier matters? Let’s listen to the Master: ‘Justice, and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.’ (Matt 23:23)
Are we not presumptuous when the Master sets the terms and conditions to develop our own? When He sets up the rights of admission, and we adjust it and tweak it to suit our opinions and views, are we not being disrespectful?
Jesus speaks directly to this thinking when He shares the story of the sheep and the goats to illustrate the difference between those allowed to enter His kingdom and those not – Right of Admission Reserved.
The story found in Matthew 25:31-46 spells out the terms and conditions very clearly – the rules which allow for the right of admission are outlined without any added fine print.
Sheep left; goats right. Sheep welcomed into the kingdom prepared for them. Goats – well, that’s another story. Basis of sheep being admitted? Vs 34-36. Fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and those in prison.
Vs 37. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Right of Admission Reserved. The terms and conditions?
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
