False Hopes

A few years ago my kids and I visited the King Tut exhibit in Los Angeles to witness relics of Egyptian past. We were shuffled en masse room by room to see bits of antiquity that had been unearthed in the 1920’s. I noticed one thing that linked the various items: they were objects designed for hope of the afterlife.

Model boats, chairs, cosmetic jars, containers to hold vital organs, chests, games, and even intricately sculptured statues and idols were all included in the pharaoh’s tomb to make the transition to the next world smooth and comfortable. There was so much attention to detail: little vulture and cobra heads were intricately painted; feather patterns were carefully stamped onto gold leaf; facial features were perfectly chiseled into stone.

The task to create such objects was an important one since the pharaoh was considered a god among men. It’s sad that so much time and energy was spent making these “transitional” pieces that were essentially worthless. Theirs was a false hope because the road the Egyptian kings expected to travel on would not lead them to the blessed afterlife they so desired.

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Being good, doing good deeds, even killing in the name of one’s god have been ways thought to lead to eternity. But Jesus said clearly in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus is the key that opens the door to everlasting life.

The Bible says the days ahead will get worse. Hope will be sought after more than ever before. The devil will try his best to continue sending out false hopes. We are called to share the true hope of Jesus. Only His hope will stand the true test of time.