I was a jock in high school in 1969, when I first saw Easy Rider. And had
to sit through it twice. I was so mesmerized, it changed my life from Clearasil
to carb cleaner. I had been riding Ricky’s Honda 50 in the woods, and Dave’s
mini-bike on the streets of Fanwood, but this showed me riding in a new way, as
a way of life. To some it was the drugs, to others the music, all rock tunes
you knew, perfectly enhancing the visual. To others it was the road, or the
motorcycles. But to me it was the freedom of the road on motorcycles, it was
about the ride. A hook had been set, and I took it, and would never be the same
again. A new passion for riding was born, and 46 years later the draw is even
stronger.
And so in 1975 I set out on my Easy Rider ride, on my 1974 R90S, leaving
the past behind, excited about the future. I was born again only a few months,
yet my life was changing, and I didn’t get it, but I was free, and couldn’t
explain it. My route went from east to west, from New Jersey to New Mexico, and
saw the ride through Billy and Wyatt’s eyes. The south was still red neck,
Texas still huge, and I had no idea what to expect in Albuquerque, only knowing
it was my destination, much like Mardi Gras was theirs. But with a much
different ending....
If you ride you know freedom, but if saved you know true freedom in the
spirit. A freedom that cannot be described, as earthly words cannot explain a
heavenly God. And I have both, and sometimes I don’t get it, how 1%ers who love
to ride and know that freedom, would do anything to have it taken from them.
You cannot ride in jail, and as much as I like the memories, I rather be making
them. So I stay clean, and enjoy the ride. But my life has changed a lot since
that cold November ride 40 years ago, a ride where freedom in Christ took over
my life. Where my passion for motorcycles has been grafted into my passion for
Christ, and I both ride and live in the spirit of a loving God.
You cannot separate Jesus and patriotism, where one is the other is found.
And in 2006, on my second Torches across America ride, we stopped in Groom,
Texas, east of Amarillo on I-40. Now Torches is a secular ride, to honor and
remember those who died on 9-11, starting in Oceanside and ending at Ground
Zero. And on this year’s ride, we stopped in Groom, to see the world’s largest
cross. You can see it for miles in either direction, and in 2006 the site was
still not completed. But what was, was all that was needed that day, as the
spirit directed us there, and then through the 13 steps to the cross. Statues
of life sized figures of Jesus, from his trial before Pilate to the grave are
depicted. In such detail you can see the agony in Jesus’ eyes when the 9 inch
nails are driven into his wrists. You can see him standing quietly before
Pilate, and being scourged. As you follow the self guided tour, this day God
allowed me to lead it. A small group of 8-10, some Christians, I answered
questions and gave insight as God provided me with information as we walked in
silence. Love of country and love of God were being focused on love of Jesus,
and many thoughts not expressed since Sunday school were brought to light.
Tough men, veterans who had seen death and war, some who used God’s name in
vain, now saw his name in a different vein. Tears were shed at times, as the
horror of the cross came closer, and it was displayed at top of some concrete
steps, on a hill. Three crosses, empty, and it dominated the exhibit. The
cross still called out to men and women, more than just a tourist trap along the
highway. It was calling out to men’s souls, the spirit still calling us. But
at the last display, the tomb, it all became different. Inside a life sized
cave, sat an angel, next to neatly folded bedclothes. Still under control, from
trial to cross, to grave, Jesus took the time to fold them, to make his bed
before his left. And when one man exclaimed, “look, there’s no body!” the
truth of it all became evident. We saw the victory at the cross, where Satan
thought he saw his victory, but we know Jesus won there. But we forget about
the empty tomb, where his promise of resurrection was fulfilled. He is risen!
And so shall you if you believe!
Now no altar calls, or prayer time was offered, I just filled in the
details, it is the job of the holy spirit to guide and provide, who tells us
always we need Jesus. But that morning, I know lives were changed, and Jesus
became real in a way many had not seen or considered before. Some 37 years
after Easy Rider called me to ride, and 31 years after the spirit called me to
Christ, that spirit was still alive, and still is today. I still enjoy the
freedom God has given me in Jesus Christ, and the ability to ride every day if I
want. I have ridden the route we took on Torches many times, with different
destinations each time. Many times past the giant cross, and am still drawn to
it. Because of who it represents, and why. But since that day I concentrate on
the empty tomb. Where the promise was fulfilled for all to see. To remind us
of heaven, when we are done with our earthly ride, a new one begins in
eternity. And since I believe, it will be heaven instead of hell. And I have
seen heaven, where there are no words to describe it other than I want to go
back. Jesus was the way in 1975 for me, and still is today. The victory at the
cross still fresh to all, new and old. And the empty tomb still there to remind
us of his promise. Like I said, Jesus and patriotism go hand in hand. Maybe
that is the problem with the country and the world, they don’t see cross for
what it is, it has become jewelry around the neck of many. But the tomb is
neglected, we need to go there and see it, empty and calling out to us. The
spirit at work still calling us to repent and be born again. Wherever you are,
he is calling to you, to free you from your sin. Look to the cross, it is
empty, so is the tomb. It is finished, as Jesus said. But we still go on,
taking the gospel to a lost and dying world. Anticipating heaven, our
retirement as never before. Each day we are one day closer, and I want to go
back. To the peace, the quiet, the rest. Only found in Jesus.
Wyatt and Billy were outlaws. And so it seems are Christians today.
Rebels among rebels, we know the freedom that others are afraid of. We are
persecuted, but not beat down. We carry Jesus with us, in us, and riding with
us. And someday our tomb too will be empty. We will have picked up our cross to
follow, and won. But for now the ride continues, and I have planned my next
short trip. Following the route that they took, from LAX through to Las Vegas,
New Mexico where they finished filming. Called back to New Mexico again, after
40 years. New Mexico is special to me, I was a new Christian there in 1975, and
got a new aorta there in 2012. New hearts in different ways. So many memories
flooding back, with so many more to make. This is still America, land of the
free and home of the brave. Where God still sheds his grace on us. See it
soon, but see it with God. Let him guide you, and you are in for the ride of
your life. One afternoon at the Cinema changed my life. Another night on the
beach brought Jesus into it. Now you know why I say “Jesus and motorcycles, it
don’t get any better.” Don’t take my word for it, see for yourself. Starting
at the cross. The ballad of this easy rider isn’t over yet.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com