You Shall Not Pass!
I am a fan of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books and movies. In the first of the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings movie, there is a scene where Gandalf is on a narrow, rocky bridge about to fight a fearsome demon. Standing in the middle of the bridge, Gandalf yells, “You shall not pass!” It’s a memorable and powerful scene in the trilogy that reminds me of an important Biblical truth.
The Book of Genesis says that God created everything out of nothing. (Genesis 1:1) The planets, stars, and galaxies were all created by the powerful word of God. Sadly, not long after, mankind chose to rebel and commit treason against God. God would have been perfectly just to annihilate Adam and Eve on the spot, but instead, we see overwhelming grace. In the early pages of Scripture, God graciously gave Adam and Eve the very first gospel. (Genesis 3:15) Adam and his posterity are given extraordinary gracious hope.
However, that hope shined against great darkness. Mankind has sinned and is under the righteous wrath and condemnation of their Creator. God’s perfect holiness demands perfect justice. For this reason, the one hinted at in that first gospel is the precious light that shines in the darkness. (John 1:5)
After Adam and Eve’s fall, God placed sword-wielding cherubim (warrior-like angels) at the entrance of the garden. (Genesis 3:24) Similar to Gandalf, these cherubim were a visual reminder that “you shall not pass!” The way is blocked. Sin has separated fallen humanity from their Creator. The problem of sin must now be dealt with. God’s justice must be upheld.
Flip forward in the Bible a few more books, and you’ll find detailed instruction given to the Israelites for constructing the tabernacle. Strikingly, the cherubim show back up. The thick curtain that separates the inner chamber (where the ark of the covenant is stationed) from the outer chamber is embroidered with cherubim. The outer curtain visible to everyone had cherubim on it as well. Anyone who drew near was met with the images of the warrior angels — a reminder of the barrier between God and man. The message again was, “You shall not pass!” Only once a year could the high priest enter through the thick curtain into the inner chamber, but only with a blood sacrifice to make atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people. The repetitive nature of that yearly sacrifice was a reminder that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin. (Hebrews 10:4)
Cherubim stationed like guards to the entrance of Eden and the embroidered symbolism on the curtains of the tabernacle were constant reminders that the way is blocked. No amount of penitence, animal sacrifices, good works, or contrition can pay the debt of sin and satisfy the supreme justice of God. If that is the case, it seems there is no hope. However, all is not lost.
Turning to the New Testament, a figure appears that is the fulfillment of everything God promised. Jesus Christ is that fulfillment. As very God, he took on human flesh and lived a perfect, sinless life. He did what Adam and all his progeny failed to do. Jesus not only obeyed God’s law perfectly, but he also willfully took the wrath and punishment his people deserved. The cross beautifully demonstrates God’s love and justice simultaneously. Jesus’ last words on the cross were, “It is finished!” Unlike the priests of the Old Testament, Jesus the Great High Priest has finished his work. It is never to be repeated.
Early in the morning three days after his death, several women came to the tomb to customarily anoint his body with oils and spices. Finding the large stone rolled out of the way, two angels in glimmering splendor appear. (Luke 24:4) These angels had a different message. Their message is, “you shall pass”.
The way to forgiveness and communion with the living God is now wide open through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The one the women were seeking is not dead, but alive! He has conquered death and sin and has risen victoriously for our justification! (Romans 4:25) We can now come to God through the new and living way – through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:19-20)
The gospel explains how God can be just and at the same time justify sinners. No greater news can fall on human ears!
The grace, love, and justice of God are shown most magnificently and fully at the cross of Christ. God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
If you’re not a Christian, I urge you to consider what you’ve read. Cry out to God and ask him to grant you repentance and faith. Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath for his people. Looking solely to him by grace through faith is the way to eternal life, forgiveness, and the very righteousness of God. Outside of Jesus, the cherubim will continue to block the way because of your sin. Outside of Christ, what awaits you is the unmitigated wrath of Almighty God.
There is only one way to be forgiven and to escape the wrath to come. There is only one way to have the perfect righteousness required to stand before God. That one narrow way is repentance and faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In Christ alone, it is always “you shall pass!”
Side Note: You may ask how those in the Old Testament were saved before Christ appeared.
There has always been only one way to be saved, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, people were saved by putting their faith in the one to come that the sacrifices pointed to, while those in the New Testament and today look back at Jesus. In both cases, it’s by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone. To trust or have faith in anything other than Jesus Christ, or to have faith in Jesus plus anything else, is the broad way that leads to destruction.