To get into places of interest, there is often the requirement to have a ticket. No ticket, no entry. In the old days, if you did not go to the ticket office, one had to make sure the ticket was from an upright entity; otherwise, you would hand over your hard earned cash for a bogus piece of paper that got you in nowhere.

In today’s world, there is the availability of obtaining a virtual ticket. Whether an electronic copy of your ticket, or an inkblot square with the magic password embedded in it, providing you entrance into that place you want to go.

Unwary wanderers, may be in such a hurry, or oblivious to the evil counterfeiters, or too trusting of the get-it-now or this-is-the-best-deal temptation, that they may indeed have a ticket; but, it is not THE ticket.

Think about it. We reach and grab on to lots of tickets, especially the free ones. Here are some actual tickets that we do not probably perceive to be tickets, but in their own way, they definitely are. Why? They let you enter the place of your interest. Some are readily available, some are a gamble, some are regrettably free, and some can become quite costly:

• the instant pleasure ticket
• the i deserve ticket
• the vengeance ticket
• the i want more ticket
• the it’s all for me ticket
• the i have the right ticket
• the you deserve it ticket
• the that’s what i think of you ticket
• the i like to use those kind of words ticket
• the who cares if it’s a lie ticket
• the it’s easier to do what i’ve always done ticket
• the it’s my body so i can do what i want to with it ticket

These are just a sampling of tickets that are readily available in our me-first, i got the right, let me express, free to be me culture; where we basically justify our choice by declaring “i have a ticket”. Look around, it’s everywhere. Actually always has been, but it is now a viral entitlement weapon used by the masses to justify our action (or non-action). And, if one notices, these tickets have to do with me, now, wants, rights, deserving, pleasure, pride, power, escape, numbing, and temporary events.

Over 2000 years ago, a carpenter’s son born in nowheresville, came to offer everyone “The Ticket”. Like a ticket we find or make, it is readily available; but “The Ticket” is one of a kind. This simple man proclaimed he was “The Ticket”. That he was the way, the truth, and the life. That he is “The Ticket” which provides forgiveness of our sins, by his blood, that would be shed as payment for us to have “The Ticket”. That “The Ticket” opens the door to a restored relationship with the Creator of all things. That “The Ticket” promises life everlasting where there is no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears. And, it is free to all who believe in this simple brother, who wants to call us friend. His name is Jesus, and He still offers and is an endless supply of “The Ticket”.

What place of interest are you holding a ticket for? Is it really worth it? Does it provide what you want for more than a few minutes or hours? Or, does your heart cry out for you to get the real deal, “The Ticket”? Seek a relationship with the simple carpenter’s son, who came to save us from sin & death. For our free will allows us to choose: a ticket from the world or our own making; or, “The Ticket”… his name is Jesus. Go…