Every school child knows, (I hope), that in October 1492, Christopher Columbus and a small group of social outcasts boarded three ships, (that the Henrietta III would dwarf), and set sail in the wrong direction, (as was common knowledge), toward certain destruction, assuredly to fall off the face of the earth!

Who cared - one more radical thinker out of the way - less trouble with which to deal. Despite all bets that he was a goner, he turned out to be right. Though Columbus did not live to receive fame and fortune, who had the last laugh?

Strange that I should see a parallel between Columbus and Christ, (only I could do this!). Jesus partnered with social outcasts - a thief, (Matthew), and a swindler, (Judas Iscariot). A small group of 12 followed Him and He preached a gospel that was diametrically opposed to commonly accepted religious teachings. As far as the religious leaders of the time were concerned, He was headed in the wrong direction – a turn toward destruction.

But who cared? The religious authorities were glad to see Him out of the way, one less troublemaker with which to deal (again). Despite all bets that He was a goner, He even conquered death to prove that He was right - right from the very beginning.

Columbus dreamed of a world where all things would be new. He hoped to find a place where a man’s hope and faith might be rewarded be a life free from hunger, persecution and suffering. Columbus was looking for the way to a heaven on earth.

Christ didn’t have to look for that heaven - He opened it to all who believed in Him - John 3: 16, Acts 16: 31, and John 6: 47.

You don’t have to risk your life adrift on a leaky, smelly sailboat or worry about falling off the face of the earth. This perfect heaven is yours for eternity if you simply accept it as a gift of God, Eph.2: 8 - 9.

Yes, it is that easy.

Come on by Blake’s Chapel Advent Christian Church if you’d like to hear more about this New World. We, like Columbus, are looking forward to the day when we can experience that joyous life in heaven.

Blake’s Chapel Advent Christian Church is located off Hilltop Road in Hampstead.

Dan Ligotti