I have never been one to frequent night clubs. Aside from being a Nazarene, it’s just not really my scene (and it’s not because of some weird phobia of dancing…I have moves like Napoleon Dynamite…John Travolta…Fred Astaire….ok maybe not). However, I have been to a few concerts in my day and so I suppose that might give me insight. You see, I have always been intrigued by the velvet rope. You know what I am talking about. The impassible shiny plush rope hung between gleaming chrome poles that is guarded by some roided (I think this is a word in the English vernacular) out individual simply known as the bouncer. And this bouncer’s responsibility is quite simple. He (or she I suppose) is to keep the normal run of the mill individuals away from the not so ordinary individuals on the other side of the velvet rope. Occasionally they will let someone pass, but only if they meet a certain criteria, have the right VIP passes or are of the same super human substance that allows one to exist on one side of the rope and not the other.

I’ve often wondered what it feels like to be the guardian of the sacred rope. Granted, I am not an intimidating individual and so I doubt anyone will ever ask me to assume vigil of such an important task. But I feel like I might understand the concept behind it a little. In the book of Matthew there is actually a velvet rope incident and I am afraid most of us might be able to relate. You see, people like(d) Jesus. He was evidently a very likable fellow unless you were very religious. And so one day people were bringing their kids to come and meet him. I don’t know why, but I have the image of a department store Santa in my head. And here’s what happened, “Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:13-14 The disciples had a velvet rope moment. They thought that Jesus needed protecting, or he didn’t want to be bothered, or that the kids weren’t good enough to take up his time. But Jesus quickly flips it on his head and reminds them of what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like.

I wonder if any of us have ever found ourselves being a bouncer for Jesus. “I don’t think Jesus has time for you right now.” “I think there are some things you need to work out before you can take up any of his time”. “Your lifestyle really isn’t fit for you to be in his presence.” Believe it or not, Jesus didn’t call us to be his bouncers. He called us to be his followers. And to follow him in such a way that other people want to follow Him as well. And more than likely this means we drop the velvet rope, lose the security badge and get rid of every obstacle that we have put up between others and Jesus and just let His children see Him for who He is. And if you ask me, it really becomes a lot less complicated this way. And who knows, we might become better followers in the process.