The Passenger

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Category: Teachings & Articles
Published: Monday, 12 November 2018 02:07
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“The Passenger”

By Augusto A. Kho

NLEX, Bocaue, Bulacan

October 31, 2018 (Wednesday); 8:36 pm

Updated: November 3, 2018 (Saturday); 2:15 a.m.

Updated: November 4, 2018 (Sunday);

Updated: November 11, 2018 (Sunday); 8:15 pm

 

We pass through time and space. The question is where is life final destination would be?

 

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Photo by GMA News dated November 4, 2018

 

TPLEX

On October 29, 2018 at past 10:00 a.m., I was driving 100-135 km per hour along TPLEX until I reached Rosario, La Union. When I glanced on my overhead rear mirror, I saw Grace who was sleeping soundly on the back of the car. So Grace is a passenger while I was the driver.

 

From there it came across to my mind this question, What is life’s preference, a driver or a passenger?

 

 

Driver vs Passenger

A passenger can always sleep during the whole journey regardless of the condition of the road and no matter how long the trip would be. He can just relax down there on the backseat where you can watch the splendid view of the sceneries they’re passing through. If not he can do texting, browse his Ipod or whatever things he likes to do unlike the driver who is focused strictly on the road. But the passenger is totally dependent from the driver.

 

The driver on the other hand must have sharp and strong reflexes whose eyes are mainly focused on the road. A driver is very particular on road signs. A driver’s main task is to ensure the safety of his passenger

 

Know well who drives your life otherwise you will sink like Titanic. It has been said before it maiden voyage that not even God can sink Titanic. Such blasphemy caused an iceberg to sink Titanic on the depths of the sea. If Christ should have been her ship captain – Titanic could have reached New York as her destination.

 

“The 1912 voyage, which was immortalized in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, was tragically cut short when the steam ship hit an iceberg. Over 1,500 people lost their lives, more than two-thirds of those on board,” writes Emily Zauzmer; Time Magazine dated October 24, 2018.

 

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Photo by Time

“The Titanic‘s story will go on and on,” if Christ is not a part in our journey.

 

 

Well, am driving

Well, am driving….. We are then heading to Hotel Arianas, Baung, La Union for the “Consumers Summit” which is being sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). From there, we will also receive personally “DTI Suking Tindahan, which is being awarded to our church-cooperative, Rosales –Goshen Multi Purpose Cooperative (R-GMPCI) as the only accredited mini-grocery all over Pangasinan. There are other two recipients of these awards who both hailed from La Union. No one coveted an award from Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte for whatever reason (that I do not know).

 

 

Life is a journey

Human life is a journey. You’re on a journey. You are pilgrim, a stranger, a passenger according to Hebrew 11:13. You are merely passing through in this journey of life.

 

Your breathed is God-inspired (Genesis 2:7). From dust you came and God breathed over you thus you became a living soul. God knows your origin from the day you were born and He knows exactly what your destination would be. He is God-knowing after all. That is the cycle of life – birth and death. “ A time to be born, and a time to die,” the preacher said in Ecclesiastes 3:2. We have a specific season in life, a time and a purpose. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

 

Then what is exactly your purpose in this life? Better find it out, otherwise it might be too late to serve your destiny.

 

 

Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. “

 

Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

 

Reputation cannot save a man’s soul. Not political connection, or power, or strength, your youth, credentials and curriculum vitae. Not on wealth or money of whatever that this world has to offer.

 

The author of the Book of Hebrews used two words there that he is referring you as a passenger in this life. But the question whose is your driver? Can you depend on your driver that he can he bring you safely to your desired destination?

 

The luxury ship Titanic was not able to bring over all his passengers to New York as her destination. Over 1,500 perished on such a tragic journey.

 

Remember MH 370? “The Malaysian government released its final report on the aircraft today, more than four years after the plane went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014,” Daily Mail dated July 31, 2018 reported. All passengers on board are still missing to this very day. They were not able to complete their journey.

 

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Above photo from Getty

 

 

Just very recently, The Lion Air passenger plane carrying 188 people t crashed off the coast of Indonesia as reported by Daily Mail Australia dated October 30, 2018. The passengers were not able to complete their journey.

 

God’s chosen people during the time of Moses also did not able to complete their journey. The older generation were nearly completely wiped out while the younger generation survived. Hebrews 11:12, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

 

How about us, shall we able to complete our journey safely?





Passenger, Driver, Travel Consultant

I love to travel. That is why I joined the airline industry for over 10 years. I am a passenger, travel agent or consultant, and a driver.



As a passenger, I always see to it I won’t miss my planned destination. Destination must be planned as well my itinerary. No one travel aimlessly. I always carry the necessary stuff with me. I prefer to travel light. Passport, hotel bookings, pocket money, directory, maps and personal stuffs must always be in one’s possession. The same is true in our spiritual journey.



As a driver, I see to it that my car is always in good condition with enough fuel, tools and warning signs, sufficient money in case of emergency, communication gadgets and so forth. I must always planned my desired routes which way is better, safer and shorter to save time and fuel. In our life journey, we must be well-conditioned as well to where we desire to go like aim or goal in life. We need tools, be literal or figurative to attain our dreams like determination and will power.



As a travel agent, I monitor my passenger’s whereabouts especially when they are a special case. I monitor their travel needs in general whether they need a special diet for their meals, a wheelchair, an airline staff should the passenger is a child and travelling alone. I have the list of my passengers’ personal data like their full-names, addresses and phone numbers and the person to be contacted in case of emergency.



A travel consultant always looks for passenger’s point of origin and point of destination. There can be no journey without that two. Origin and destination will always be the common denominator or standard of any kind of travel that measures space and time.



Whether there is a stopover in between or a layover if needed, or flight or well-provided bus for immediate connections. Often businessman would like to fly direct should there be a direct flight service between their point of origin and destination.



Christ claimed to be origin and destination. He said “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end,” (Revelation 1:8). Beginning and end speaks of time. We always rush with time. Time that passes by can no longer be recovered.



In any kind of journey, time element is necessary. There should be a ETD or “expected time of departure” and ETA “expected time of arrival.” Distances are measured by kilometres or miles usually or generally covered by time and distances. While our birth is usually given, our time of departure will always on the hands of God. We don’t know when our time is up. Even in our literal journey, we may not reach our point of destination should accident occurs in the middle of our trip that will terminate our lives. We live by the grace of God each day. So we need to fear, honour and thank God every day.



In your life’s journey, Christ knows exactly your history and your future. Nothing is hidden from Him. Jesus is your past as well as your future. Again He claimed, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end,” (Revelation 1:8)

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Who drives for your journey?

Who drives for you, can you depend from him that he can bring you to your destination safely?

 

 

Your driver should not put your lives in peril? Whether he is a car driver, a pilot or a ship captain, he must be trustworthy for your planned journey. Christ literally is saying, “ I am your journey,” (John 14:6) when He claimed that He is the WAY.

 

Don’t let your life be placed in the hands of Titanic’s ship captain. Don’t l leave your fate to Lion Air that just crashed and plunged to the sea recently. Don’t be a casualty in your journey.

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NLEX
I was on my way to Manila on October 31, 2018 (Wednesday) when AGAIN the word “passenger” came to my mind while we are cruising NLEX in Bocaue, Bulacan at 8:36 pm.

 

It was unplanned trip. I only decided to leave to Manila at past 3 pm that day because I was informed that my brother –in-law named, Edgar is in coma at the Philippine Heart Center since Sunday.

 

It is for this reason that this writing “The Passenger” is being scribbled. The passenger is no less than me, you or Edgar. Edgar’s journey however is nearing end. How about us, when will our lives’ journey end? Should our last breath occurs, where will be our destination be – heaven, hell or purgatory. Unfortunately, you can’t find the word “purgatory” in the Scriptures. There is only two final destinations when a man dies and that only heaven and hell.

 

 

The passenger

There is another passenger aside from us. This passenger is another kind of passenger. He must be a special one.

 

This passenger is always there unnoticeably silent unless you let him speak to you. He goes with you wherever you go. He is determined not to leave you alone by yourself in your whole life journey. But at the same time, this passenger can drive you anywhere at any time no matter how far where you want to go. Either you let him be your co-driver or your co-passenger it all depends from you.

 

Webster defines driver as one that drivers. A driver is automobilist, motorist or a wheelman whereas a passenger is a wayfarer or a traveller in a public or private conveyance.

 

You can be a driver-passenger at the same time. It means you drive alone (but not totally alone) You travel alone but actually you’re not alone

 

.When Jesus said, “I am the way”. (John 14:6), how will define the word “way” in etymological meaning or the origin of the word?

 

In fact, when Jesus said “I am the way.” He also in effect is saying like this, “ I am the co- passenger, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. , “(John 14:6).

 

 

 

Christ, the passenger

“The word “Way” in Greek “hodos” means, “properly a way; a travelled way; a road a course of conduct; a traveller’s way; journey, travelling.” Metaphorically, it is “a progress (the route, the act or distance); a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding.” James Strong definition: “a road, a progress (route; act or distance). Figuratively, it is a mode or means (journey or highway).”

 

The word “way” in Isaiah 35:8 is interpreted in Hebrew word, “derek” which means “a passenger”

according to James Strong Bible Dictionary.

 

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Trekkers find their path to Sinai by foot (Photo by Peps)

 

So whether you travel by plane, boat, by car or by foot it applies (literal or figurative) Christ is always there. Whatever your action or way of life be it is right or wrong, it applies again Jesus will always be there giving you a constant company in the road of your life. He simply knows because He is everlasting Son of God.

 

Christ is our co-passenger in our life journey. He is our passenger, driver and travel consultant as well. He said, “No one can comes to the Father but by Me.” You see, He is showing us the right track of (eternal) life. He can convert the rivers of water into wilderness or makes a way in the vast barren desert. “Behold I will do a new thing.. I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert,” - Isaiah 43:19. The word “by” and He said “by Me” in Greek “dia” means “with, in, throughout, by means of or reason.”

 

 

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I saw with my own eyes how we passed through the Red Sea from Egypt to the wilderness of Sinai on a highway in the desert to Israel (as you can see the above inset of over 25 tourist buses cruising on the barren land).

 

We need means of transportation when we make our journey whether by foot, by car, by plane or by ship However how to get to heavenly place of the Father Almighty? Is there any transport available to eternal abode of God? No other way by in Him, by Him and through Him alone. Jesus is giving us the mode of transport to the Father.

 

Christ is not only a passenger, a travel consultant and a driver because drives He is our roadmap to our eternal destiny for better or for worst. . Christ became our machinery or instrument to our divine expedition.

 

 

Expressway

Expressway is the most preferable road to take. That is why I prefer to drive through TPLEX, SCTEX and NLEX on my way to Manila should I bring my car with me.

 

Expressway is much convenient, faster, safer and very informative. It is informative because it has plenty of signage that directs which WAY you should be going. You cannot simply lose your way because expressway has efficient and readable road signs. However it is expensive because you need to pay toll gates.


Christ is not merely a travel consultant, or a driver, passenger or a machine- like car for the journey, Jesus our Lord is also a sort of expressway. WHY?

 

He said, “I am the way. No one comes to the Father but by me.”

 

Isaiah 35:8, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

 

Christ is the highway of life to the Father.

 

The word, “highway “ in Hebrew “maslul” means “a highway; a thoroughfare; turnpike.”

 

Turnpike according to Webster is a major road that you must pay to use; as road as an expressway (like NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX, etc). Turnpike is a toll gate.

 

No one can ever leave the expressway without passing through a toll gate. Christ is the toll gate – the only way to the Father in heaven. No one gets to the heaven without giving due respect and belief to Christ as a tollgate to the Father in heaven. He is like the stairway to heaven.

 

 

Forever?

In Isaiah 35:5, the words “highway, way, and way of holiness” are being mentioned in just one verse alone. The word “way” in Hebrew “derek” means “a passenger.” Jesus Christ is in fact, a co-passenger to anyone who believes in Him even to those who despise Him. To the believers, He promised this – “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” (Matthew 28:20).

 

Well, this cliché is a hugot-lines from Pinoy movie,”May forever ba?” Others do not believe in forever or eternity.


Christ said, “I am with you alway.” And the word “always” in Greek “hemera” means “forever” according to James Strong Bible Dictionary.


So may forever pala kay Kristo! And wherever you, Christ is there who is travelling with you constantly.

 

That was the reason I immediately rushed going to Philippine Heart Centre in Quezon City at that very moment when I heard that my brother-in-law, Edgar is in coma last October 31, 2018 on the eve of All Soul’s Day. I want him to hear that may forever pa – that there is hope in Christ. Hearing is said to be the last among our senses that diminishes at near-death according to scientific study. He may be in coma but he could still heart faintly. I want him to hear that Jesus is his co-traveller or co-passenger or his driver and his compass-like guide in his life journey no matter he is brain-dead.

 

 

While John 14:6 “way” refers to Greek word, “hodos” meaning a “journey” in Christ,” the word “way” in Isaiah 35:8 refers to the word “derek” which means “a passenger.” To put them two together must read it this way that you and me, and Edgar is “a passenger “ in this life journey.

 

If life is indeed a journey then there must be a destination with Him. This world is merely a place where we are merely passing through. We’re merely passers-by – a passenger.

 

By the time I arrived at the hospital I shared to them about Edgar’s comatose state and the word “passenger” that he is merely passing by. I said to Edgar’s beloved, “Shall you let him go o ease his pain?” and all of them nodded. That is when I committed his body, soul and spirit unto the Lord as I recited Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NLT) that says “Then shall the dust of which God made man’s body return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.” It is like committing his life journey nearing end. That he is merely passing through -


Three days later, 3rd of November at 3:00 pm he finally passed by in this planet Earth like a passenger. Edgar, my brother-in-law left Earth as a passenger and that begins another journey. And that is heaven-bound. NO more as a PASSENGER but a RESIDENT.

 

 

 

NOTES :

 

  • Scriptures from the King James Version (KJV) unless otherwise specified.

  • Grace Tabigne. She is one among the six elders. She is the incumbent Chairwoman our the church-cooperative, RGMPCI. She used to be a Clerk of Court at the Municipal Trial Court (MTC).