Several sisters were busy washing the dishes and getting the kitchen cleaned up after a large family dinner. Everyone was bustling around with the various chores that needed to be done.
Bradley, who was four years old, decided he and the bunch of grapes he was eating had better get out of the kitchen and go to another room where they wouldn’t be in the way. He stretched out on the sofa to finish his bunch of grapes, popping them in his mouth one at a time.
In the other room Bradley’s mother suddenly heard a strange noise coming from the living room. Not seeing Bradley in the kitchen where he had been a few minutes ago, she decided she had better find out what he was up to.
She turned the corner into the living room and found Bradley with his face turning purple, clutching his throat and fighting for air. She called to her sister in the kitchen for help as she ran to Bradley.
Hearing the cry for help, Aunt Charlotte came running and quickly realized Bradley was choking on something. Having learned about the “Heimlich maneuver,” she quickly stood behind him, wrapped her arms around his middle and gave one quick, hard squeeze. Out popped the grape that had stuck in Bradley’s throat! Now his airway was open and he could breathe again.
A few minutes later when Bradley felt better, he and his mother knelt down and together they thanked the Lord Jesus for His help. Bradley’s life had been spared. As they talked together about his close call, his mother explained to Bradley that what had just happened to him reminded her of the verse in Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6), “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Bradley was without strength to help himself, just as we as sinners are without strength to do anything about the awfulness of our sins. That grape was enough to keep Bradley from breathing, and our sins are enough to keep us from heaven. Just as Bradley’s mother had called to her sister to help Bradley, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross for us.
Aunt Charlotte knew just what to do to help him, and the Lord Jesus did just what was needed for us in our sinful condition. Aunt Charlotte didn’t wait one second when she was called, and the Lord Jesus is waiting at this very moment for any sinner to cry to Him in their need. “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:2424And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24).
Ever since that day, Aunt Charlotte has been very special to Bradley, and the Lord Jesus should be a very special Friend to every sinner because of His love and what He has done for us on the cross of Calvary. Is He your special Friend? Is He your Saviour?
ML-09/13/1987