Passport (Nehemiah 2:1-7)

Long ago, Nehemiah was working for Artaxerxes as a servant. He had been faithful to his master for a long period of time. One day Nehemiah heard that his former city was in ruins and all his ancestors’ graves laid waste. He was very sad when serving his Master with wine. Before, he had never shown disappointment in front of his Master. That day, Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah about his sadness.

Nehemiah expressed everything that he wanted chiefly to go to Judea, where his ancestors had been buried, to re-build Jerusalem. The master approved his request and asked him how long he would be gone (Nehemiah 2:6). In verse 7, Nehemiah asked his master to grant him the favour of giving him letters to the governors of West Euphrates Province instructing them to let him travel to Jerusalem.

Brethren, do you know what a passport is? It is a form of letter that one needs when he/she goes to another country. In most cases it is provided by the District Commissioner, according to your good conduct.

Brothers and sisters, have you got a passport? In the Gospel of Matthew, it describes the narrow road and gate that few find. When we say ‘passport’, we mean a spiritual passport, that is faithfulness before the Lord. It is this passport that will enable us to be in the Kingdom, but without it, we will be treated harshly (Daniel 12:2).

Bro Symon Wanyekheya (Phalombe, Malawi)