The Gates of Zion

“The Lord loveth the gates of Zion.” Psalm 87:2

What are gates for? Two purposes, entrance and exit. And Zion, too, has her gates of exit and entrance; she has her gates of access to God, entrance into the presence of the Most High; “the door of hope,” opened in “the valley of Achor.” And who has opened the door; or, rather, who has not only opened it and made it, but himself is the Door? “I am the Door,” says Jesus. And was not “the door” opened through his rent flesh? As the Apostle speaks: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” Through his bleeding wounds, through his pierced side, through his mangled feet and hands, there is now access to God:

“A door of hope is open’d wide In Jesus’ pierced hands and side.”

Is there any other access to God, but through the slaughtered Lamb? “Through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” There is no other; for he is “the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh to the Father but by him.” Is not this an open way? Does not the soul through this door “walk in and out and find pasture,” and enter into the immediate presence of God? Do you, my friends, ever find access to God, a heart to pray, a sense of acceptance in prayer, an open door, and power to enter therein? What opens it? Merit? Set up merit, and we are all damned to a man. It is not merit, great or little; it is the blood of the Lamb which alone has opened a way for poor lost sinners to draw near to God.

Joseph Charles Philpot (1802-1869)