Dan pulled into the driveway, thrilled to share the news with Caleb. His son would be so excited. He headed into the house and knocked on Caleb’s door.

              “Can I come in?”
              “Yeah.”
              Dan pushed open the door to find Caleb on his computer. Caleb pulled off his headphones and spun in his chair to face him. “Hey, Dad, what’s up?”

              “Are you busy Saturday night?”

              Caleb’s forehead wrinkled. “I don’t think so. Why?”

              “Because I got us tickets to the Jackson Steele concert.”

              Caleb jumped out of his seat. “No way! That’s awesome! How did you get tickets? That concert sold out months ago.”

              Dan beamed at the excitement in Caleb’s voice. “I know. That was so frustrating. We were online as soon as they went on sale, but they sold out within minutes.”

              “Yeah, he’s a legend. Everyone wants to see him. How did you manage?”

              “My coworker Russ was planning to go with his wife, but her dad died, so they’re heading out of town to go to his funeral.”

              “Wow. That really stinks for them. But it’s great for us.”

              “He was happy to sell the tickets to me, since he knew how much we wanted to go.”

              Caleb shook his head. “I can’t believe I finally get to see Jackson Steele in person. Thanks, Dad.”

              Dan’s heart filled with gladness to share this with his son. “It’s going to be great.” He glanced at his watch. “Dinner will be ready in about 30 minutes. Come on down and set the table.”

              “I will after I text Ryan and Evan. They’re going to be so jealous.”

              The next evening at dinner, Caleb had news. “Dad, you won’t believe it. Jackson Steele is having a charity auction while he’s in town. Tonight at 7:00, he’s auctioning off a dinner. The highest bidder gets to go out to dinner with him and ask him anything they want. He’ll even play a private song for them! All the money he raises is going to this charity he’s supporting for research for this rare disease his son’s friend has.”

              Dan set down his fork. “Wow. That’s really kind of him.”

              “It is. We totally should do it. Could you imagine being able to spend an hour with him? And to have him play a song, just for us? It would be the chance of a lifetime.”

              Dan shook his head. “It would be great, but don’t get your hopes up. You know how popular he is. I can’t even imagine how much people would pay for that.”

              An hour later, Dan and Caleb had their answer. They watched the bids climb, astounded when the number reached $500,000.

              Caleb sat back in his chair. “I can’t believe it. That’s great for the charity, but how can someone drop half a million dollars for a dinner?”

              Dan squeezed his shoulder. “I didn’t expect it would go that high, but I’m not altogether shocked. You realize, of course, we’re not selling our house to bid on this.”

              Caleb laughed. “Yeah, I know. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I’m just excited we get to go to the concert.”

              Dan stood and stretched. “Let’s make a day of it on Saturday. We’ll head into the city early, walk around, see the sights, and get lunch and dinner out. We won’t be eating with Jackson Steele, but we’ll have a good time together.”

              “Sounds great, Dad. Thanks.”

              Saturday, Dan took Caleb to an off-the-beaten path cafe he enjoyed when he was in college.

              Caleb raised his eyebrows. “I’ve never heard of this place.”

              Dan laughed. “I’m not sure how we found it the first time, but your mother and I used to come here when we were dating. They don’t advertise, and because it’s kind of hidden, it never gets super crowded. But the food is amazing, and they always have a steady stream of regulars coming through.”

              They entered the restaurant, and Caleb’s eyes widened. “This is cool. It’s an old house.”

              “That’s what we liked about it. There’s not one main dining room. You eat in a bunch of separate rooms.”

              The host led them to a back room, and they sat at one of the four tables. As they took their seats, Caleb grabbed Dan’s arm. He whispered in his ear. “Dad–look over there!”

              Dan followed Caleb’s gaze. There, just across the room, sat Jackson Steele with a teenage boy, finishing their lunch. A moment later, they paid their bill and stood to exit.

              Caleb leaped from his seat and stopped them before they left. “Mr. Steele, I just wanted to tell you how much I love your music. He pointed to Dan. My dad and I can’t wait to see your concert tonight.”

              Jackson smiled at him. “Thanks so much for your support. Nice shirts.”

              Dan stood and joined Caleb. They were each wearing Jackson Steele T-shirts, ready for the night’s concert. “Could we take a picture with you?”

              The teen with Jackson reached for Caleb’s phone. “I’ll take one of the three of you.”

              Caleb beamed. “Thank you!”

              A moment later, the teen took the picture, and he left the restaurant with Jackson.

              Caleb and Dan sank into their seats in stunned silence. “Dad, this is the best day ever. I can’t believe we got to meet him.”

              Dan laughed. “And it didn’t even cost us a dime.”

              “I know, right? That kid looked like he was my age. How on earth could he possibly afford to eat lunch with Jackson Steele?”
              Dan looked Caleb in the eye. “He didn’t have to pay to eat lunch with him. He has free access to Jackson whenever he wants.”

              “I don’t understand.”

              Dan paused for a moment, realizing the potential for a life lesson. “In the Bible, the high priest could only enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place in the temple, once a year on a special day. He offered a sacrifice for the sins of the people. It was kind of like getting access to Jackson Steele. But when Jesus died on the cross, the thick curtain that separated that room of the temple tore, showing that Jesus made the way for us to have access to God. We can talk to the creator of the universe whenever we want.”

              Caleb frowned. “That’s cool, but I still don’t get it.”

“That young man has access to Jackson Steele because he’s his son. And we have access to God because we’re His children.”

Hebrews 9:7

But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Hebrews 10: 19-22

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.

John 1:12

 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

God, so often we idolize people. We may think they’re amazing because they have talent in music, in sports, in acting, or in business. But we’re all equal in your eyes. What is truly amazing is the fact that we have access to You, the creator of the universe. Even more incredible is the fact that not only can we talk to You whenever we choose, but that You’re waiting for us. You want to have a relationship with us. What an amazing blessing. Thank You for making a way for us to have a relationship with You. Help us put things into perspective. Give us the excitement to spend time with You, for You are far more incredible than any of the people You created. In Jesus’ name, Amen.