How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard. Hebrews 2:3

How shall we escape? That's what the writer of Hebrews asked.

Escape was Harry Houdini's stock-in-trade; at least, it was until October 31, 1926. On that day the great Houdini died. Before he breathed his last, if you sealed Houdini in a coffin, he got out. If you locked him in a safe, bolted him into a boiler, sewed him in a sack or threw him into a river, he got out.

Lock him in a jail, a straightjacket, a set of handcuffs -- Houdini got out.

That changed on October 31st of 1926: Houdini died. Some time before that date and thinking about his departure, he said to his wife, "If there is any way out. I will find it. If there is any way out, I will find you and I will make contact with you on the anniversary of my death."

In short, Houdini said he would try to come back.

Trusting her husband, for ten years Bess, his widow, kept a light burning underneath his picture. After ten years, after numerous attempts at trying to reach him, she turned out that light and said, "Houdini did not come through. My last hope is gone. I do not believe that Houdini can come back to me or to anyone ...."

So much for escape. People simply don't escape death.

On the other hand, I do know Someone who defeated death. According to prophecy, according to His own promise, Jesus of Nazareth defeated death. Forget the silly ideas that He was placed into the tomb in a comatose condition.

Jesus was dead. The Romans knew it; the Jews knew it; the disciples knew it.

Still, in spite of what everyone knew, on the third day Jesus was seen. He was seen alive and well.

Through His open tomb, we have been given a Savior -- a Savior who forgives our sins, who carries our burdens, who died our death, who has promised to take all believers to be with Him in heaven.

It is a wonderful promise and one which has already been kept by the Savior who came back as He said he would.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, many millennia before Jesus was born, You made a promise to our first ancestors. In that promise You gave Your word that a Savior would be born. I give thanks that I have seen and believe in that Savior. Because He has conquered death, I have been given a great salvation. May I live as one of Your redeemed and grateful children. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 27-29    Hebrews 5

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