A Boeing 737 rumbled down the runway at Washington D. C.’s Dulles International Airport in January of 1982. As the Air Florida flight rotated for takeoff, its nose lifting skyward, it quickly became apparent that something was terribly wrong. The lumbering jet could not get enough lift. It was too late to abort the takeoff and the airliner crashed into the Potomac River beyond the end of the runway, smashing into a bridge over the river.
Rescue workers began to arrive on the scene and tossed a rope out to a man near the middle of the frigid river. He swam to another, nearly unconscious victim and gave him the rope. Again the rope went to the man. Again he secured it to another survivor. A third time and the same action. Finally, hypothermia set in; the savior of the Potomac succumbed to the cold water. The man sacrificed his life assuring the salvation of more than five wounded victims of the tragedy who otherwise may not have survived.
Wouldn’t it be astounding if one of those wounded, disoriented, freezing victims had refused rescue, muttering to his rescuer, “No, I’m working my own way to safety.”? How senseless! But that’s exactly what most of the world is doing! They are convinced they can work their own way to eternal safety.
Ironically, it was icing on its wings that caused the Air Florida jet to fall from the air almost before the start of its flight, condemning 82 people to an icy death. And it was the ice of sin that caused the fall of mankind, condemning us all to its icy grip if not for a savior.
Like the savior of the Potomac, the Savior of the world sacrificed His life to save others. His sacrifice secured our rescue from sin. Were it not for Him we would not make it. We are, each of us, afloat in the frigid waters of sin. We are wounded, disoriented, unable to save ourselves. We just can not make it. But we only need accept rescue from our Savior who has already sacrificed His life for us. Instead of a rope, He offers the cross.
Don’t believe the foolishness of the world. You can NOT rescue yourself. Sin’s icy waters have numbed your senses, sapped your strength. Cling to the cross and be saved.
Lodestone