Steve McQueen reportedly left life with a bible given to him by Billy Graham. According to his wife, he read it daily. Why? Because he had a new heart, new affections, new loves. He knew the Savior and had been adopted by God.

Steve McQueen made The Great Escape. But he was sprung by Jesus Christ who made the greatest escape. The actor just pretended to escape from a Nazi POW camp; the Savior conquered hell and death for real. And he saved Steve and me and many other sinners from the hell to come.

The King of kings provides the ultimate escape from any life of sin. Even for big-timers like Steve McQueen. I know.

I’m not famous, and I’m certainly not even a prince of cool, let alone any sort of king. But I can relate to Steve McQueen. My dad didn’t abandon me. I didn’t wonder whether my mother loved me. But I thought I could go it alone in life and didn’t need anyone.

Like him, I grew up Roman Catholic. Instead of abusive stepfathers, I had bullying brothers. Instead of a morally-challenged mother, I had a love-challenged one.

My father didn’t run off or beat me. He was a good provider and tried to live right. He followed his church, but did so like most I’ve known—in his own strength and according to popes, bishops and priests—devoid of God’s amazing grace.

In Christ alone, said Martin Luther. So did the apostles. So does God. So did my dad before he died, according to my sister. In earthly terms, he was a good father. And my mom was a good mother … until she lost a child. Everything changed then.

Back to Steve McQueen and how unlike and like we are: We both joined the military after trying to figure out what else to do. He did so to stay out of trouble. I did so as a rudderless former troublemaker. We both needed it.

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