Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1874, Erik Weisz performed on the stage as Harry Houdini, one of the world’s most well-known illusionists and magicians.  He started to perfect his craft at an early age and went on to perform feats so unbelievable that some have gone unexplained to this day.

Among the many feats he accomplished, he “walked through a brick wall”, he jumped off bridges into water handcuffed and emerged free of them, he escaped after being handcuffed and put inside a large milk can filled with milk or water, he escaped from a jail cell in plain view of his audience, and he escaped from a straitjacket while he was handcuffed and also suspended upside down.

                “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that those who reject the God of heaven, and who fail to invite Him into their lives, will find themselves in a lake burning with fire and brimstone from which they will never escape.  Jesus tells us a story in Luke 16 about a rich man and also a beggar named Lazarus.  The rich man lived a life of luxury, whereas the beggar was laid daily at the gate of the rich man’s estate, hoping to be fed with the crumbs off the rich man’s table.  He also suffered with sores on his body.

        Jesus tells us that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into the Abraham’s bosom.  The rich man also died and was buried, and ended up in hell.  He then was able to see Abraham off in the distance with Lazarus in his bosom.  He cried out to Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water so that he could cool his tongue.  Abraham reminded him that in his life on earth was full of good things, whereas Lazarus suffered many evil things, and now everywhere was reversed.  He explained that he was being tormented, but Lazarus was being comforted.

        Jesus went on to inform the rich man that beside all of this there was a great gap between him and Lazarus, and it was not possible to cross over this great divide.  What Jesus was saying was that there is no escape from hell, and no handcuffs are necessary to keep people there.  Even someone like Houdini would have no chance of escaping from this place of torment.  The best hope anyone has is to avoid going there in the first place by asking Jesus to forgive us of our sins, and live within us through His Holy Spirit.  He will gladly honor our request and usher us through the gates of heaven when our life on this earth ends.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.