How To Save A Life

The alternative rock band, The Fray, released a song in the early 2000's titled, "How to Save a Life." I would argue that this song is still very popular (and catchy) and is one of those songs that you can hear played just about anywhere (retail stores, hair salons, TV shows, Mix 101.5, etc.) The song is about a person coming to the realization that their friend is no longer who they used to be and they don't really understand why. The biggest problem for the person who is confused about their friend is that they couldn't seem to figure out how best to "save a life." Initially, the band said the original inspiration for the song was based upon an adult who is trying to confront a troubled teen. Given the vague nature of the song, they have have since opened it up to various forms of interpretation. The Fray pose a good question. How do we save a life?

In John 14, Jesus is comforting his disciples and says in John 14:4, "You know the way to the place where I am going." True to character, Thomas speaks up and says, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Jesus responds in John 14:6-7 saying, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him." The disciples had the advantage of walking and talking with Jesus, but even they had a hard time understanding who He was or what He was sent to do. Jesus is serious in Matthew 10:39 when He says, "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."

In this world, we (humans) can't really save lives, but we know who can and we know who does. To know Jesus is to understand that ALL roads to life run through Him. When we find ourselves helping other people, why do we do it? To feel good? To look good? To make the world a better place? Only when we lose our lives for Christ sake will someone else be able to do the same. I love the way the Apostle Paul hits on this in Philippians 1:21​ when he says, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." If someone wants to know how to save a life, point them to the only one who can.

​-Jacob

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