Do you remember the epic chariot race scene in the originalBen-Hur? That classic film was just remade and I think this scene in particular is just as riveting, if not more so, in the new version produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. But more than just a movie to enjoy, I want you to experience a deeper relationship with Jesus, so I created a companion study guide for the film, complete with on-location video from Israel.Check it out »

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

The Ghost Bike

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

—John 14:6

Once when I was traveling, I caught a cab to the airport for my flight home. The cab driver’s name was Tom. We were cruising along, just chatting away, when we passed a “ghost bike.”

Do you know what a ghost bike is? It is a bike that has been painted white and placed on the roadside to commemorate someone who was killed there in a biking accident.

I said aloud, “That is so sad.” Tom said, “Yeah. I had a friend who was killed on this highway. A lot of people have died riding road bikes on this highway.” Then I asked, “Tom, what do you think happens after we die?”

Tom told me that he believes in reincarnation and that we will come back as another lifeform. He went on explaining that for little bit. I didn’t interrupt him. I didn’t contradict him. I just listened. Then, when he was done, he said to me, “Well, what do you think happens after we die?” Don’t ever ask a preacher a question like that unless you want a sermon!

Well, Tom did get a little mini-sermon. I said, “Tom, I believe that if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you will go to Heaven. And one day I believe that Heaven will come back to earth and we will be with Christ for all eternity.”

Tom said, “Man, I like your version of the afterlife better than mine.” I said, “That is not my version, Tom. That is the Bible’s version. That is what Jesus said.”

Tom then said, “You know, it is funny—my wife always calls me a doubting Thomas.” So I told him the story of Thomas in the Bible. You remember that it was to Thomas Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

It was a good conversation.

To say that Jesus is the only way to Heaven is not a very popular thing in today’s society. But listen, do you think if all roads led to the same destination, and living a good life could get you to Heaven, that God would have poured His judgment on His own beloved Son? Of course not. There was no other way to satisfy His righteous demands—not good works, not reincarnation, not karma or positive thinking or anything else. Only the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus died in our place, and He rose again from the dead on that first Easter morning. Now we have the hope of life beyond the grave.