“Let’s take a little walk and stretch our legs before we get back in the car and go on!”
Jim and Sara Whittle and their little girl Alisha had stopped in the town of Truro for a late supper. They were on their way home to the United States after visiting the Cape Breton area in Canada. Jim lifted Alisha onto his shoulders to give her a ride as they left the restaurant. They headed down the street to cross the bridge into the neighboring village of Bible Hill.
Alisha felt nice and warm all bundled up in her winter clothing as she sat on her daddy’s shoulders. The February sky was clear, but the night air was moist. This made the frozen sidewalk a bit slippery.
Jeff Goodwin, a truck driver, was driving toward the bridge when his headlights picked up a terrifying scene just as it was happening. He saw a man, woman and a small child, perched on the man’s shoulders, walking across the bridge. Suddenly the man slipped, and the child tumbled over the railing.
Within seconds Jeff stopped his truck and ran to the horrified parents. Over the railing and below them hung Alisha, snagged by her snowsuit hood on a beam jutting out from the bridge. Beneath her they could see the dark waters of the Salmon River swirling through a five-foot crack in the ice.
“Save my baby! Save my baby!” Mrs. Whittle screamed frantically.
Boys and girls, do you realize that if you are not saved from your sins you are hanging helplessly in a very dangerous position? If you continue on in your sins, they will eventually take you to a lost eternity. The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15). The “book of life” is God’s list of everyone who has been saved from their sins. If your name is not included in that list, you need help from above! God does not want you to hang helplessly in your sins. He loves you and has provided a way for you to be saved through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:1414And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14). “For God so loved the world [you and me], that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever [you and me] believeth in Him should 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).
Jeff rushed to his truck and returned with a rope. Using skills he had learned while working as a tree trimmer, he tied the rope to the railing with a couple of quick hand knots. Then attaching the other end of the rope around his waist, he climbed over the railing.
As he lowered himself down the rope he could hear Alisha crying hysterically. Jeff struggled to reach her, then quickly slipped off his belt and tied it around her so he could hold her better. Holding her closely and using every ounce of his strength, he began the climb back up the rope.
Just as he reached the top and lifted Alisha up to her anxious parents, Jeff felt a terrible pain in his side. He managed to reach safety, but the extra strain had caused damage to his body. Later Jeff had to have an operation to repair the damage to his side.
How thankful the Whittles were that Jeff had saved their daughter’s life. She had come through the terrifying experience without a scratch! And you may be saved from your sins without its costing you anything. The Lord Jesus has already paid the price. When He died on the cross, the Bible tells us a soldier “with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” John 19:3434But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34). Another verse tells us, “Without shedding of blood is no remission [canceling of sins].” Hebrews 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22).
King David wrote, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined [listened] unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” Psalm 40:1313Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. (Psalm 40:13).
Won’t you trust the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, to cleanse you from all your sins?
ML-08/18/1991