When businessman, Roger Rodas, bought his fiery red, Porsche Carrera GT he was on top of the world. An accomplished Wharton School of Business graduate he had made his mark as a financial analyst and was consider to be one of the best in the country. He also made a mark in the world of philanthropy supporting many good and worthy causes. He was a kind-hearted fellow and well-liked by those who knew him. He was young, 40, with a beautiful wife and two children.

On Saturday he made plans to meet up with his friend, Paul Walker, at a charity event for Reachout Worldwide which sends first-responders to devastated areas of the world like the Phillipines (typhoon) and Indiana  (tornados) to aid victims. They shared an interest in philanthropy, giving back as they could. They took it very seriously. Not only did they share an interest in philanthropy but, they shared a love for speed and cars both having invested in high performance automobiles. Roger owned “Always Evolving Performance Motors” in Southern California.

It was a beautiful day. Great-to-be-alive kind of day. As the event ended they decided to go for a “joy ride”. I know very few men who would decline an opportunity to take a ride in a bright red Porsche Carrera GT on a fine southern California day!

Both of them had the world by the tail, successful at doing what they loved, young…neither one guessed this was their last day. They never thought when they woke up that morning they would be dead by noon. They never dreamed the beautiful, red car would be their coffin.

Sobering.

Why would I bring this up in a season of joy?

Because of Jesus we know that this is not all there is. Becusse of Jesus we know life has real purpose. There is a reason. Because of Jesus we can be assured our sins are forgiven, our lives made new, we can say with Paul, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?…Thanks be to God!”

Had there been no Christmas, no Bethlehem, we would be hopeless. But thanks be to God there is Christmas! There was Bethlehem. There is purpose – even in the senseless.