The Message of the Rubber Bands
This article was given to Muslim students in Indonesia after I had performed a conjuring trick in which one rubber band astounding passes directly through another, when there appears to be no way of escaping.
There are many spiritual issues facing men and women of all nations and all religions. Fundamentally we all know that we have not lived as God wants us to - we have all sinned. Our sin has caused a separation between the one Holy God and ourselves. Is it still possible for us to be freed and to start again in a close friendship with God?
The rubber band trick is a picture of the impossible position we all appear to be in. There seems to be no way for us to be free.
1. Some hope that a strict adherence to their religion, whether Islam, Christianity or Buddhism, will give this freedom, enlightenment and answers to life. But religion only reminds us about how much of a failure we all are. Religion cannot free me, I remain a trapped, sinful person. Religious people may spend much time praying and attending religious functions and services but such religious people, in their private lives, still succumb to selfish temptations. They are still not free.
2. Others try to live by giving a good impression to others, but too often this is hypocritical. It can even result in telling untruths in order to be thought well of. Such a way of living does not free me from guilt and certainly will not bring me the forgiveness or peace I need.
3. A third reaction it Is not to think about spiritual matters at all. Such peoples’ lives centre on themselves. They may be ambitious for money, power, and influence but have no concern about what God thinks of them. But this doesn’t free them from the problem of selfishness and sin either.
God knows the hearts of all three groups of people. All are trapped because of their sin, their self-centredness.
Is there no hope for sinful people? Is there no way for me to be forgiven for all the sins God knows I have committed? Is there a way to have my heart changed so that I will want to live a God wants. Can I experience a peace with God? Can I know for certain that I am accepted by God and certain to go to heaven.
The good news is that there is hope. Just as the trapped rubber band can be freed, so can each of us. But there is only one way. Jesus taught that no-one could get right with God except through him. He said he was “the way, the truth and the life.” The reason for his unique claim is linked to his claim to be the one and only embodiment of God, and because he came to give his life as a sacrifice for our sin. On his cross he carried the sins of all people who give themselves to him. No animal sacrifice can carry our sin away, these are only pictures of the one final sacrifice God made on our behalf nearly two thousand years ago.
The most important questions anyone can ask are, “Who is Jesus?” and “Is this story really true?” Jesus repeatedly asked people to answer these questions. So why are people today, whatever their background not encouraged to find answers?
The Qur’an recognises that both the Jewish Scriptures and the New Testament are inspired by God. No-one spoke more about the Kingdom of God and how people of all nations can become its members. In Mohammed’s time, books about Jesus were widely available. There are many ancient documents from many countries that confirm that these Scriptures had not been corrupted over the six hundred years between Jesus and Mohammed. They remain unchanged today.
One feature that is common to all false religions is that their members are discouraged from asking questions. But any faith, such as that exercised when we expect there to be food available when we visit a supermarket, must be evidence based. It is hopeless to go to a shop if it is persistently empty. Similarly it is foolish to spend my life following a religion if it does not guarantee eternal life. Truth, whether in matters of science or questions of faith, will only be found by investigation. The truth will then stand and falsehoods will be exposed.
Please will you ask questions about Jesus. He is referred to 95 times in the Qur’an, which describes him as the Saviour. Mohammed accepted the New Testament is accepted as the Word of God and this has not been superseded. Discover who he claimed to be and what he offers all people. Look at the evidence for it being true. Does he fulfil the 330 prophecies in the Jewish Scriptures that are about the coming Messiah, God’s chosen king? Even his enemies and secular writers tell us about the extraordinary miracles he performed.
Did he really rise from the dead after being crucified? Why did his disciples give their lives in order to tell the world that Jesus rose from the dead and is the Saviour of the world?
One way to start answering such questions is to read one of the first hand witness accounts such as the Gospel of John and to start asking questions. This gospel is freely available on the Internet. It is the truth that sets people free, not religion.
