Twyla was getting worried. She looked up at the huge tree in front of her home and, sure enough, there way up in the tree sat Beau Joe, her pretty white cat, still stranded! They had let him out of the front porch a day and a half ago, and he had climbed the huge tree. At first she hadn’t been concerned, but Beau Joe didn’t seem to be able to come down by himself. She knew he must be thirsty and hungry! He would have to be rescued.
First Twyla phoned a fireman she knew, but he told her that firemen rescue people, not cats. She talked to a few other people who felt sorry about her cat, but they couldn’t help her either. Finally, one of the city departments told her that they would help. They sent out a truck which was a cherry-picker with a bucket.
At last Beau Joe was about to be rescued! Up, up went the bucket with a man standing in it. The truck made a lot of noise revving its engine, as the bucket went higher and higher into the air, closer and closer to where Beau Joe was sitting on a branch. As the man reached out to pick up Beau Joe, Twyla was horrified to see the cat fearfully climb even farther up the tree and out of reach of his rescuer!
Beau Joe didn’t realize that this man wanted to save him. The cat was in danger of falling out of the tree to his death 55 feet below! How could he be so stupid as to run away from the very help he needed?
And yet you, too, face even greater danger if you are turning your back on the Saviour of sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) says, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” We have all sinned and will not be permitted to enter heaven unless we have our sins forgiven and our names written in the book of life.
After moving the truck into a better position, the men tried again to rescue Beau Joe. Up, up went the bucket with the man in it. Because the cat was afraid of him, the man put on two pairs of gloves in case the cat should scratch him.
Would Beau Joe let this man rescue him? Everyone watching below held their breath as the man reached out and lifted Beau Joe from the branch where he was clinging fearfully. The cat was very nervous and upset. The man was glad he had put on gloves because the cat scratched and bit him. When the bucket was lowered to the ground and Beau Joe was let loose, he took off across the yard as fast as he could run!
The Lord Jesus loves us and wants to save us from our sins. Revelation 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) tells us how badly He wants to save us: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup [eat] with him, and he with Me.” Will you open your heart’s door and let the Saviour rescue you from the danger of the lake of fire?
ML-09/21/2014