These five words tell us an amazing story. They tell us how one brave man risked his own life to save three complete strangers from a tragic death by drowning. This is the story that was published in our local newspaper.
A man, his wife and two children came to Niagara Falls, Ontario, to spend the day and to visit the attractions around the river. Late in the day they decided to walk down the glen in order to get right beside the Niagara River.
Now then, to get down to the river at this point is not easy. It’s like walking down a steep cliff; there are many steps down. Yes, there are railings to hold on to; there are also warning signs telling of the dangers: “Stay on the steps.” “Do not go out beyond the railings.” Also, the park police and the park workers try to watch and make sure that the visitors understand the danger of slipping and falling into the river.
(I thought about God’s Word, the Bible, that warns us about breaking His laws and the danger of falling into hell and the lake of fire, where there is no return. Yet people continue to ignore His gracious warnings!)
And so this man and his wife and two children were now carelessly walking alongside this beautiful, powerful, dangerous river, not realizing how close they were to death itself. If they had looked up the face of the cliff, they would have noticed a rock climber examining the rock and stone, but all their attention was centered on the turbulent water so close beside them.
The younger son just couldn’t resist getting a little closer to the water. Then it happened! The boy slipped on the stones and fell into the river screaming, “Help me! Save me!”
His older brother, seeing what had happened, jumped into the water to help him! Now they were both screaming for help!
The father, seeing his two sons about to drown, also jumped into the river to help! Now we are hearing the cries for help from three drowning people who cannot help themselves-who are about to be carried into eternity by drowning!
Meanwhile, the rock climber on the cliff had heard the very first scream for help. He immediately started scrambling down the cliff to where the mother was crying for help. He could see that the man and his two boys were being drawn closer and closer to the edge of the giant whirlpool, and he knew that if they were once in the vortex there would be no chance of rescue. Without a thought for his own life and safety, he took off his shirt and shoes and plunged into the mighty river!
I think of the Lord Jesus Christ, who saw you and me when we were in our sins and needed a Savior; He said to His Father, God, “Here am I; send Me!” And—HE CAME.
This heroic man reached the father first. He was able to take hold of the man’s shirt and swim back to shore and hand him over to the willing arms of the bystanders who were starting to gather along the edge of the river. Then turning, he swam back out into the current to grab hold of the older boy, and a little more slowly he pulled this boy also to safety in the waiting hands of those who had gathered to watch this amazing rescue.
Our hero was nearly exhausted. He must have thought: Can I? or can’t I? should I? or shouldn’t I? But no one else was offering to go out into that dangerous water. Casting his feelings aside, he turned and swam out to try to save the boy! The younger son was almost in the clutches of the giant whirlpool, from which there is no return. He reached him just in time! Holding the boy with one arm, he used the other arm and his powerful legs to swim to shore!
On shore the people were cheering him on, shouting words of encouragement! He made it! These people had just witnessed a rescue that was almost impossible! So close to death, yet rescued!
Does this not remind us of the joy that is in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents, or trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation? After a period of time, when our hero and the father of the boys were able to talk, the father offered his rescuer all the money he had. But our rescuer refused it, saying, “There is no price for life.”
Will you accept this very precious gift that the Lord Jesus has bought for you with His own precious blood?
It is free, to whosoever will!