As our perfect high priest and spotless lamb, Jesus (and Jesus alone) was capable of ascending the hill of the Lord in order to stand in God’s holy place. In the second half of Psalm 24, David rejoices because the “king of glory returns from the battle victorious” (24:7-8). Jerusalem is to open its gates in celebration because the Lord of hosts has returned with his captives in his train (Ps. 68). As those who enjoy all the blessings of the new covenant, we know that Jesus Christ has done exactly that through his death and resurrection. 

In 1970, Warner Brothers sold over two million records of the catchy tune, “Spirit in the Sky.” A one-hit wonder, Norman Greenbaum’s song proved to be a classic. But what many may not realize is that this chic tune has something to say about Jesus and life after death.

Note some of the lyrics:

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky

Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He’s gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky

Never been a sinner I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He’s gonna set me up with
The spirit in the sky

Greenbaum’s catchy lyrics still describe popular belief today. In fact, all too often they sum up what many think Christianity is all about. Christianity is not about being a sinner and awful stuff like that. Christianity is just about Jesus being your buddy. Jesus hooks you up, like any good friend would, so that you get to go to the best place. What may be a surprise, however, is that this whole “spirit in the sky” business has everything to do with you and me being sinners. Oh sure, we have a friend in Jesus, and Jesus does indeed hook us up just not in the way Greenbaum ever could have imagined.

Only the Holy Can Ascend

To see why, we need to go all the way back to Psalm 24, written by King David. He opens it with two frightening questions: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?” (v. 3). The answer is discouraging: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation” (v. 4). It may sound simple enough, but there is no one who fits these qualifications.

The whole story of the Bible is the story of humans rebelling against a holy God, sinners who fall short of his glory and law-breakers who deserve nothing but eternal condemnation. In other words, no one can be found to ascend the hill of the Lord and take hold of salvation because no one is righteous (Rom. 3:10-18). Ever since Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out of the garden out of the presence of a holy God no one can stand in God’s holy place (Ps. 24:3), at least not without a bloody sacrifice to atone for his sin and appease divine justice. If he tries, God will destroy him (e.g., Lev. 10:1-3).

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