The dump truck loaded with sand and gravel came hurtling down the long Portage Trail hill. Horrified onlookers soon realized the driver had completely lost control. It seemed that no matter how he tried, the driver could not slow his truck, let alone stop at the traffic light at the foot of the hill.
He swerved desperately trying to avoid hitting anyone, careened around the corner, hit a utility pole, and finally was flung into the river nearby where he was killed. State officials later exonerated him of wrong doing; his brakes had failed. He was hailed a hero for avoiding cars and people in his path, but he couldn’t save himself. Brave man.
Nearly 2000 years ago there was One who could have saved Himself but didn’t. While He hung on Calvary’s cross dying for sin, some watching said, “He saved others, Himself He cannot save” (Mark 15:3131Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. (Mark 15:31)). That brave truck driver gave his life to save those in his path. The Lord Jesus, who was God in the form of man, gave His life to save a lost world. “He thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation ... and was made in the likeness of men ... and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6-86Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6‑8)).
If that truck driver had tried to save himself, he most likely would have killed someone in his path. But the Lord Jesus made no attempt to save Himself though He could have called twelve legions of angels to His aid. And why didn’t He? Too much was at stake! The salvation of millions, perhaps billions of people that He wanted to save, at home in heaven with Himself and the Father for all eternity.