A special serum was desperately needed. There was no other way to check a terrible plague of diphtheria in Nome, Alaska. At Nenana, 650 miles away was the necessary supply, but it could only reach Nome by dog train. So it was rushed to the stricken city by relay, as fast as dog and man could carry it.
It was time for the dog team to change for the last lap of the journey. But a blizzard kept the men from meeting the dogs that were to retrieve them. Only Balto, the great Siberian husky, knew the trail. Kaon the driver gave him the lead, and trusted him to get them there. Balto never faltered. He kept the trail through blinding snow from Bluff to Nome—53 miles in 30 degrees below zero weather! The epidemic was checked. A monument to Balto stands in Central Park, New York, to celebrate his courage and faithfulness.
This makes us think of the awful plague of sin that has affected all mankind. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12).
The Lord Jesus has brought life into this scene of death. There is only one remedy for sin, and the Lord Jesus has brought it to us at the cost of His own life. He laid down His life that we might live. He shed His precious blood to put away sin. “In Him was life.” John 1:44In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4). Now God says, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). Praise His glorious name forever!
ML-03/01/1964