The Story of How I Realized You Must Have a Ticket to Get In!

This is me trying to buy tickets!

This past Friday night I did something I have never done before; I waited outside an event with a sign trying to buy tickets!  I have sold tickets before, but never gone to a sold-out event desperately trying to buy them!  It was for the “Christian” based comedian Tim Hawkins.  He is hilarious and provides a night of joy and entertainment.  Amanda wanted to go, and we had waited too late to get tickets.  The event at the Carson center in Paducah was sold out.  We figured that many church groups were going and knew that it was likely some of them would have folks back out affording us some extra tickets.

I made a little paper sign, that really was pretty pathetic.  I inherited another sign from someone else who was doing the same, but only needed one ticket.  The problem was the extreme cold temperatures.  We are talking about temperatures in the 20s and a brisk wind.  I encouraged Amanda to stay in the car for two reasons; one, I didn’t want her to be cold, and two, I didn’t want her to be embarrassed!

This story ends happy!  After about 20 minutes a lady with a church group had two extra tickets that were in the cost range we desired.  In fact, we saved a third of the cost of what we would have paid.  We had a great evening together and enjoyed the show.

But I am not writing this to boast about getting tickets in the freezing cold for my wife on Valentine’s, no, that is just the romantic part of the story that got me a few bonus points!  The reason I am writing this is because I got to thinking about the judgment day when I was standing out there!  You see all of these people kept rushing into the warm confines of the theater while  looking on me with a mixture of confusion and pity.  In fact, it was fun to watch the expressions on people’s faces as they saw me and read my pathetic sign.  Adults tried not to stare or notice too much.  Kids just stared and hit their parents to look.  But the really cool ones were my friends and acquaintances.  They had to take a second look and where like “What are you doing?”.  Most all hoped that we could get tickets.  They felt pity for me being in the cold.  But no-one offered their tickets!  I could not go in without a ticket.  Though my friends cared for me and wanted me to go in they could not get me in on their ticket!

I guess I am just a preacher always looking and thinking about illustrations, but if someone would of had a sermon and invitation I would have probably responded!  It is flat scary thinking about your friends and loved ones entering into heaven and you standing outside in the cold not able to enter the warmth and joy of heaven.  Their love, pity, and desire cannot take you in with them.  They didn’t let me in because I was dressed nicely or because I am a good guy who loves my wife and kids.  No!  I had to have a ticket!  Likewise, you have to choose to “have your ticket punched” spiritually through the blood of Jesus!  I have never liked or used that saying regarding salvation, but I see the parallel with it in this situation.  We don’t earn our salvation, but we must receive the gift of salvation through faith and obedience.  Do you have a ticket?

“And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”                     (Matthew 25:10–13)