In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV
Some of you may remember Southern Airways. It was a regional airline which merged with North Central Airlines in 1979 to form Republic Airlines, which later became a part of Northwest Airlines, which eventually merged with Delta in 2008 (Whew!). Through all of that, most of Southern’s legacy and tradition has been lost, especially their philosophy for customer care. That is best summarized in a television ad from 1970 (You can view it on YouTube). In the opening scene a number of people are enjoying a raucous party, complete with laughter, music, champagne, and luscious food. Almost immediately you recognize the setting as the cabin of an airplane. As people arrive, they are offered drinks and food. One passenger, smiling as he takes in the lavish gathering, holds up his boarding pass. The flight attendant, dressed like a cocktail waitress, spins around laughing. When she sees his boarding pass, her expression suddenly changes to one of disgust as she announces tersely, “Second cabin, please.”
When the curtain separating the cabins is pulled back, the passenger sees, not a party, but a dimly lit, gray cabin filled will peasant-looking folks sitting on crates amid chickens, ducks and goats. The deep baritone voiceover then says, “Southern Airways believes that no man should be subjected to the indignity of being labeled or treated as a second-class citizen. Which is why, when you get on a Southern jet, you’ll find that no curtain separates the peasants from the nobility. No one takes the legroom from you and gives it to someone else. On Southern, there is only one class of service, and it isn’t second.” Southern Airways is gone, and so is the notion of “one service for all.”
If you have ever flown First Class (or Business Class on some airlines), you understand that Southern’s portrayal of the difference between it and Economy (or Tourist, as most airlines like to call it) is truly remarkable. I’ve flown First Class a few times, mostly on military standby, when there still was such a thing. I hate to admit it, but I could get used to that kind of treatment when flying. In fact, high on my “bucket list’ of things to do before I die is to make a long journey in First Class, or at least Business Class.
Flying First Class is a pretty good metaphor for the kind of life God wants for us and expects us to live. Sadly, though, because of our sinful nature, we are like peasants in the presence of the king. The prophet Isaiah said all of our righteous acts are like filthy rags compared to God’s goodness and love (Isaiah 64:6). The truth is that God created us for one reason and one reason only—to be in fellowship with Him and with one another. However, we can’t truly be in fellowship with one another until we are in fellowship with God, and the only way we can be in fellowship with God is to have something done about our “filthy rags” (i.e., our sin). In the Old Testament, according to Mosaic Law, it was necessary for a priest to offer an individual’s sacrifice on the altar, and only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only one day a year, Yom Kippur, and make atonement for all the people. In short, the priests served as vital mediators between the people and God. That all changed with the once-for-all atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for the sins of the whole world.
When Jesus died on the Cross, we’re told the veil of the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies, was torn in two from top to bottom. The veil of the Temple was roughly thirty feet wide by sixty feet high by four inches thick. The tearing of this symbolic separation of the people from God was not only a certain miracle, it represented the free access all people now have to the very Throne Room of God. No longer was it necessary for a priest to intercede with God on our behalf. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, our Great High Priest, we have been restored to the that which God intended for us from the beginning of creation—fellowship, an intimate relationship--with Our Creator.
In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul speaks of God lavishing upon us the riches of His grace. Since grace, by definition, is God’s unmerited favor toward us, it is like God is giving us a free upgrade to First Class. Because of the love He manifested toward us in the person of Jesus (John 3:16), we no longer need to be relegated to the peasant quarters but instead have all the rights and privileges of a King’s kid.
To paraphrase Joshua at the Jordan when he was challenging the Israelites to choose whom they would serve, "As for me and my house, we're accepting the Upgrade and Flying First Class." I hope you'll make that same decision as well. It will bring God so much joy. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) says: "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." When we accept God's Upgrade for our life, we start flying First Class.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Creator and Lord of all that is, thank you for your love in providing us with an upgrade to First Class. Help us to live a life worthy of your love. Amen.
Fr. Steve +
