SCRIPTURE
“I am the WAY, and the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
SPOTLIGHT
Frank Sinatra was loved by millions of Americans for his singing voice, acting abilities, and charm. He died in 1998, at the age of 83. Sinatra’s daughter, Nancy, thought it appropriate to put three items in her father’s coffin as he was laid to rest. These were things she believed, “The Chairman of the Board,” would want to take with him if he could. The items were a bottle of Jack Daniels, a pack of camel cigarettes, and 10 dimes. Yes, that was it. Whiskey smokes, and change to call home. How sad the great entertainer didn’t have a picture of his family or even an American flag. The items in his coffin symbolized his lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and hanging around with the guys.
Sinatra used to take great pride in singing the song, “I Did It My Way.” It described how he believed he was in control of his life. However, his way did not give him any hope for eternal life. That was out of his control. In our Scripture text, Jesus Christ clearly said that He is the only way that leads to eternal life. Christ does not give out a road map to heaven but instead says He is the road to heaven.
The only way you have access to God, entrance to heaven, and deliverance from God’s judgment, is by believing and receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Acts 4:12 states, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. [Acts 4:12.] There is absolutely no other way to experience the forgiveness you need because you are a sinner. Ephesians 2:18 states, “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Only Jesus gives you the freedom and the right to come to God knowing that He accepts, loves, and welcomes you to heaven. Your only hope is Jesus Christ. [see Acts 10:43.]
What would you like placed in your coffin? As I thought about this, there are some items that I would want to be seen in mine. One of them would be my Bible. It is the highest written authority in my life. Another significant item would be a picture of my family. I dearly love my wife, and three children, and their families. There would have to be an empty cross to remind people of my commitment to Jesus Christ, the One true living God, Who gave me eternal life and so much more.
When you pass from this life into the next, there is nothing tangible you can take with you. You cannot take your money to buy your way into heaven, or your awards to declare how you contributed to helping people while on earth. The truth is that all the items that would be put in my coffin would only symbolize my lifestyle. I will not have any of them with me when I arrive at the gates of heaven. Neither will they be needed. Only my faith in Jesus as the way is what I take to heaven. Christ’s way is the 100% sure way to eternal life. Nothing is needed in your coffin. Everything you need to take with you is already in your heart.
You and I entered this world with nothing in our hands, and that is how we will leave. However, we can also part from this life knowing we have influenced as many people as possible to follow Jesus, just as we have. What a thrill it will be when some people in heaven come up and say, “You know, you are one of the reasons I became a born-again believer.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Pray and ponder throughout today about what you would like placed in your coffin.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for making it clear to me, that You are the only way to heaven. Thank You for becoming real to me, from the moment I believed in You to be the one true living God, and received You as my Savior and Lord. AMEN.