The Polar Express tells the story of an awesome adventure. How would you like to climb aboard the Polar Express for an awesome adventure?
How is it an adventure being a Christian?
When Jesus told the disciples, “Follow me,” they had no idea what they were in for. People being healed, water being turned to wine, people being raised from the dead, walking on water, crazy storms being calmed, the sorrow of Jesus dying, then the elation of him rising from the dead! Following Jesus is an adventure like no other. It’s especially exciting when we obey him.
One kid in the movie wasn’t very humble. Do you remember which one? What did he do that was wrong? How can we be humble in how we speak?
Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips.” We should always let another praise us. We should also use our words to build up (Eph. 4:29) and to love others, rather than making ourselves seem great.
Throughout the movie the kids don’t quite obey the rules. Does that lead to things being better or worse?
Worse. We should listen to those God puts in authority over us unless they tell us to disobey Scripture. When we obey Scripture it generally leads to blessing. When we disobey it often leads to pain in our life.
The main character in the movie wants to believe in Santa and is frustrated that he can’t hear the bells. What should we do when we want to believe in God?
Scripture says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:14). It’s that simple. Yet, we can also go to God in prayer to ask him to increase our faith like one man who said to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
Eventually the main character sees Santa, and Santa even lets him keep the bell to help him always believe. How has God revealed himself to us? What has he done to help us always believe?
God has revealed himself to us through his Word to encourage us and teach us (2 Tim. 3:16). Most wonderfully, God became man in Jesus and died on the cross for us so that we could believe in him and have our sins forgiven. We have so much more than a bell! Our names are graven on his hands and written on his heart!
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
