Our story took place during the first years of World War I. England’s factories were heavily damaged, so the United States shipped equipment over to England. The ships carrying the equipment were always in danger, and it was very important that the equipment safely reach England’s shores!
Jamie McClare’s whole life revolved around the sea. When men were urgently needed for the Merchant Marine, he left his fishing boat in Maine and volunteered, not only himself, but his Newfoundland dog, Blackie, as well. The Newfoundland is a remarkable breed of dog known for its faithfulness, good nature and life-saving instincts.
The captain of Jamie’s ship was glad to have Blackie on board. He had heard of the amazing things a Newfoundland can do, including rescuing drowning sailors. Newfoundlands have been known to dive 20 feet under water to save someone who is drowning. Since they have been bred as working dogs for fishing ships, it is almost as if they have developed a sixth sense for the sea. They are very large, and their love for people is just as large. They cannot see a person in danger without coming to their rescue.
The ship’s first Atlantic crossing was almost over, and Blackie had become friends with everyone on board—from the ship’s captain down to the ship’s cook who fed him. They all felt more comfortable with this giant of a dog roaming the decks in the tense atmosphere of war.
One dark, dreary morning when the ship was 100 miles from England’s shore, the roar of a plane engine was heard. The plane was hidden by the heavy gray clouds until it was right over them. Before the crew knew what was happening, they were under attack!
In the confusion, all the sailors ran for cover . . . except Tom. A ricocheting bullet struck him in the arm and knocked him off the ship. He fell over the railing into the cold, dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean!
Blackie saw Tom go overboard. Without waiting for even a moment, Blackie leaped into the water and powerfully swam to Tom just as he was going under. Tom put his good arm around the dog’s neck and held onto him until a lifeboat came about 20 minutes later. Both Tom and Blackie made it back to the ship safely. Tom knew he owed his life to the lifesaving instincts of Jamie’s dog, and he would never forget it.
Every one of us who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior realizes that He came to rescue us, too. Not thinking of the pain or the agony to Himself, He went to Calvary’s cross. Why did He do this? Because He loved us and saw that we would die in our sins unless He came and took our punishment instead.
When Tom was wounded and fell into the Atlantic Ocean, he knew he could not save himself. Do you realize that without the Lord Jesus there is no hope for you? Has the truth that you have sinned ever bothered you? Have you felt how helpless you are before a holy God? Have you ever felt the great depths of everlasting punishment facing you, as Tom felt the depths of the ocean pulling him down?
If you haven’t, won’t you think about what God’s Word, the Bible, tells us in Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23): “All have sinned,” and that “all” includes you! Having sinned, you have “come short of the glory of God.” That means that you will never make it to heaven as you are!
“Oh,” you might say to defend yourself, “I have sinned, but I will save myself.”
No, God will not accept our “saving ourselves.” We must be saved His way—by admitting that we are sinners and by accepting His Son Jesus as our very own Savior. Tom was wounded and saw that he could not save himself. If it weren’t for Blackie, Tom would have been lost at sea.
God’s good news is now going out to everyone. Each person who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her Savior will be free from the punishment of his or her sins in hell and will be in heaven with the Lord Jesus for eternity. Won’t you accept Him as your Savior today?