NBA legend Kobe Bryant, 41, died Sunday in a helicopter crash. Fatal crash: Bryant was one of nine people who died when the helicopter they were in crashed on a hillside in Calabasas, California. Among the victims was Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

What a tragic event it is when a soul is lost for all eternity. I’m sure Kobe Bryant enjoyed the fame and publicity which came from being a basketball star, but if he could speak right now I’m certain it wouldn’t be about basketball. It would be about knowing his Creator knowing Jesus Christ before passing away.

Here’s a man who had everything going for him yet with all the wealth accumulated, fame and fortune what did it profit him in the end? He couldn’t take any of it with him and if Kobe never got saved by trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of his sins; then as sad as it is to say Kobe is forever separated from God.

I hope that when he was alive he trusted in the Lord Jesus and was saved, as far as I know Kobe Bryant was not a believer in Jesus Christ. And if not then tragically he’s in hell. This reminds me of what the Lord Jesus said about the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke. Read it for yourself and determine if being rich is worth more than knowing Christ.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

It is with out sincerest condolences that our hearts go out to the Bryant family. While this is a great tragedy perhaps this will wake up his family that they may see that life is fleeting. One day you’re here and the next moment you’re not. May we all take heed to the words of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Please it is our hope that you would trust in Christ Jesus and live by receiving eternal life as the free gift offered to you through Jesus Christ.