A few posts ago, I featured Jude 1:24. As I’ve continued to meditate on this powerful verse, I’ve thought more about that word “present.” Here it is in context:

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (ESV, italics and bold type added)

Picture it again. We are going to go before God’s holy throne (picture seraphim, etc) and the glory of such a scene. It’s intimidating. It’s awe-inspiring. It’s fearful. 

I can’t help thinking of the scene in the movie “Wizard of Oz” where Dorothy and her friends are walking into the “holy” place of the Wizard. There’s smoke and light and an intimidating voice who says something like, “How dare you come before the presence of the Wizard!” They are shaking in their boots and red ruby slippers. They are terrified and only their desire to receive what they need keeps them there. Of course, it turns out the whole thing is a ruse and fake. 

But when we go before the throne of God there won’t be any little man behind controls trying to look impressive. No, we will see the very throne of God with Almighty God seated in glory and power, dominion and authority. We should be shaking in our boots for that!

But guess what? We are being presented by Jesus Himself. And we are covered by Jesus’ robe of righteousness. If we have claimed Jesus’ covering and forgiveness of our sins, we are wearing His righteousness because of our position in Christ. (Colossians 2:10). And no one can strip us of it. 

When I speak on our position in Christ, I ask the women to picture their unique robe of righteousness. Forgive me if I’ve asked this before, but what does your robe look like? Do you think we’ll be allowed to design our own? If we are, is yours red with fur on the edge? Is yours white with a hood? Is yours a caplet or a full robe that reaches to the floor? I love to hear the women’s answers to that question. I’d love to read your answers in the comment box. 

But think again of that word “present.” It’s the idea of “set one up” or “to make stand.” I think I’m going to need Jesus to help me stand upright because my knees are going to be quaking. But I know that whether I need his hand on my arm or his arm around my waist to hold me up, He’ll do it. And Jesus will lead me before the Father with a flourish and announce I’m one of His forgiven ones. And I’ll have the joy of casting my crown before His throne. What glory!

If you are feeling condemned today, and yet you are a Christian, reject that lie of your condemnation because some day you’ll be presented by Jesus before God’s throne and you will be deemed faultless and blameless. Not because of living a faultless life, but because Jesus has forgiven and cleansed you of every sin.