THE BACK-DOOR ENTRY
One of the most famous stories in Greek mythology is the Trojan War, where the Greeks being unable to penetrate the wall of Troy, finally devise a plan to trick the Trojans. They build a huge horse with warriors hidden inside, leave it outside the city wall and the army retreats, giving the impression that the Greeks have sailed away, having left the wooden horse as a gift to the gods. Though many warn them of the possible danger, the Trojans wheel the horse inside the city wall and celebrate. When night falls, the warriors slip out, take over the city gate and open it to let the Greek army in. What was once the impregnable city of Troy now falls to the Greeks.
What is true of Greek mythology is also true of real life where men inadvertently let their guard down and allow death to climb in to their lives. Jeremiah, the prophet to Israel, warns them,
‘Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses.’(Jeremiah 9:21)
The picture of death climbing stealthily through the window to take the fortress is quite striking. No one would welcome death through the front door, however a back door entry is always available to those who are not discerning.
Death in real life comes in many forms. The most obvious is addictions, which take a grip on numerous young people and lay to waste their lives. No one would embrace addictions if they were presented as such with all their attendant problems. However when peer pressure, curiosity, the lure of feeling good etc. are presented, many take the bite and fall headlong into addictions.
Spiritual darkness is another form of death, perhaps the most serious that very few are aware of. There are numerous opportunities for man to recognize that life is much more than the material, that one-day we will all die, rendering this life meaningless and that to seek God is to seek life. However these truths are hidden for the most part and man is usually content to live out his life in the physical realm, enjoying the material possessions that come his way. Over a period of time, the spiritual dimension of life is all but forgotten and darkness and death take over the fortress of man’s life.
It is in this context that Jesus’ words become relevant,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”(John 8:12)
Being aware of the back-door entry and the devastation that death causes is essential for man to find direction and safety in this life.
