HERE we see the picture of a very bad storm. Just look at the big waves. They seem to be as high as a house and dash about until they are white with foam. This ship looks large and strong but it cannot stand against such a tempest as this. The wind has taken away many of the sails and a large part of one end is gone. These brave men in the little life-boat have come from the shore to take the sailors away before the ship sinks. How glad the poor sea-men must be to know that all are to be saved.
As we look at this picture we think of that beautiful story which tells us how Jesus once spoke to the winds and waves, and stilled a tempest such as this one in the picture. Have you ever read it? If not, take your Bible and turn to Mark 4:3535And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. (Mark 4:35). You will find it as beautiful a story as you ever read, and the most beautiful thing about it is that every word of it is true.
We can see, in these helpless sailors, a perfect picture of the sinner. They are in great danger and cannot help themselves. Their ship was sinking and, if these men had not brought the life-boat, all would have been lost. The sinner is lost also—lost in sin and in danger of judgment. But the Lord Jesus came down in love and pity and died to save all who will believe. “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 3:1616For 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).
The sinner could not save himself, any more than the sailors in the picture could bring their own life-boat. Some think that if they are good and do worthy actions that this will save them. God says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6). God’s way of salvation is far more easy. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). The soul, which believes on Jesus Christ, escapes a far worse punishment than these sailors in the picture. They would lose only their natural lives, but the sinner who turns away from Jesus will suffer a punishment that is never ending.
If anyone should read this little paper who has not yet found himself to be a lost and helpless sinner, our prayer for such a one is, that God will speedily show him his true state and guide him to Jesus—the only true life-boat.
ML 08/31/1902