It was a beautiful summer day when a party of tourists set out to climb Mount Snowdon, one of the highest mountains in the British Isles. On the way, one of their number, Alan, left the party to try a new way of ascent around the northern ridge. He was an experienced mountain climber and had no difficulty for a time. Then, after a long and hard climb along the almost sheer face of the rocks, he found himself in a spot where he could neither advance nor retreat. To add to his danger, a dense fog rose up from the valley and closed in around him. He shouted for help in vain. His voice was muffled by the fog, and only silence answered his shouts.
He clung to the sheer face of the rock till his hands and feet were numb and his muscles ached with the terrible strain of maintaining his precarious foothold. Death stared him in the face. He might fall at any moment and be dashed to pieces on the rocks below.
Would help never come? The minutes were leaden and seemed like hours while his strength was fast ebbing away.
The mist began to clear away, and to his great relief he heard above him the voice of a companion who cautiously lowered a rope until it was in his grasp. How carefully he slipped the noose over his shoulders and under his arms! With the help of the men above, he was drawn to the top of the ridge, completely exhausted. After a long rest, the party descended to the warmth and comfort of the hotel.
As they came down the mountain Alan saw, painted in bold letters on the face of a rock, “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).” Reaching the hotel, he found a Bible and turned to 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). He read these words: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He was struck by the words, “should not perish,” for had he not nearly perished on the mountainside?
The message went home to his conscience. Alan’s heart was touched, and he opened it to the wonderful message of God’s love.
“God so loved the world”—that includes every man, woman and child in it; it takes in every race, color and condition. Millions have been blessed by that verse. Why not you?
That word, “whosoever,” opens the door wide to you. Will you enter? The issue lies plainly before you—to perish, or to be the happy possessor of eternal life.
The blessing may be yours now as you read these lines. May you believe on the Saviour and find that eternal life is a reality now and forever.