Pastor's Perspective - Buddha Boy

Dear FCC Family & Friends,

Today while perusing current events, I noticed an intriguing headline – ‘Buddha Boy Plans Live Burial’. I read on, as I hope you’ll do even now!

The report was about Ram Bahadur Bomjan, Nepal’s famed ‘Buddha Boy’. This teenager gained local, then international media attention when he suddenly surfaced under a tree in the Charkoshi forest in 2005. For nine months he meditated, sitting cross-legged allegedly without food and water in the same posture as the legendary Buddha. In short order, pilgrimages paying homage to the praying youth became the national rage. However, after many months he seemingly disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

Recently he resurfaced to the joy of his many followers, announcing his plan to embark on an even more challenging form of meditation – underground! Holy Mole Batman! His disciples have apparently dug a deep trench in which ‘Buddha Boy’ plans to descend. He will then be covered, voluntarily subjecting himself to extreme heat and cold. The objective of the burial is to master the senses and attain salvation, according to the report.

Friends, I’m not questioning the sincerity of this teenager or his disciples. Clearly they are trying to fill that spiritual void that every human being possesses and longs to fill – some way or another. However, as a Christian, I found this story to be exceedingly sad.

What Ram Bomjan, his faithful, and millions around the planet don’t seem to know or get is that Jesus Christ already subjected Himself to extreme discomfort to attain salvation for all of us! 1 Peter 2 tells us that “He Himself (Christ) bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

So friends, just a reminder that true salvation doesn’t come from putting your faith in the one under the tree – but instead the one on the tree!

See you at INVISION 3:31 this Saturday! Check out our church website (www.1stchristianchurch.org) for details. Also, it’s not too late to sign-up for the 24-Hour Prayer event this weekend.

This (Palm) Sunday I’ll will be sharing with you our third ‘Core Value’. Come early for Sunday School (9:00A.M.), great 4th Watch coffee and good seats!

I Love You!

In the Fight,

Steve