Memory Verse: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the fate; and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matthew 7:13
Thirteen-year-old Brian buckled his seat belt and settled back as the plane left the terminal on the trip from Salt Lake City to San Diego. This was the second part of his trip today. The first part had been flying from Chicago to Salt Lake City, where he had just changed planes.
Brian was looking forward to spending the next two weeks with his grandparents. As the plane taxied toward the end of the runway to take off, the stewardess announced their flight number and where they would land.
Suddenly realizing what she had just announced, Brian sat bolt upright in his seat! Had he heard correctly? She did not say they would land at the San Diego Airport; she had said, “Orange County Airport"! Surely they would not have allowed him to get on the plane if it were not the right one. What should he do? How would he ever let his grandparents know that he was not landing in San Diego, but would arrive at the Orange County Airport instead, about 80 miles away. But because the plane was now racing down the runway, he settled back, realizing there was nothing he could do about it.
In San Diego Brian’s grandparents were standing at the airport gate, waiting for the flight from Salt Lake City. They were really looking forward to Brian’s visit. As the plane landed and the passengers began to get off, Brian’s grandparents watched for him. One by one the passengers got off, until finally the plane was empty. Where was Brian? He was supposed to be on that flight. What had happened?
Quickly they went to the ticket counter to question the ticket agent. He checked the flight log and passengers’ names listed for that flight. Brian’s name was not on the list nor on any other list of names of people flying from Salt Lake City to San Diego that day. The ticket agent called the airline in Salt Lake City and asked about Brian, but he could not find out anything from them. Finally, Brian’s grandparents went home, knowing that they now could only pray for Brian and ask their Saviour, the Lord Jesus, to help them with their problem.
Yes, Brian was on the wrong flight. He did not know how it had happened, but he now was flying to an airport where there would be no one to meet him. He knew that his grandparents would be waiting for him at the airport in San Diego. They would be worried when he did not arrive. What should he do? Brian decided to wait until after the plane landed and then try to contact them.
Each of us is traveling along one of two roads. One road leads to happiness in heaven; the other road leads to sadness in hell. The Bible tells us something about these two roads: “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction... and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” Matthew 7:13,14.
Have you ever stopped to think about which road you are traveling? If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are on the road that leads to destruction (hell). If this is the direction you are headed you should ask yourself the same question Brian asked himself— “What should I do?” Brian decided to wait until the flight landed and then find out what to do. If you want to reach heaven, you had better not wait until the end of your life to make a decision. Brian could not get off the plane to change direction until it landed, but you may change your direction right now. If you wait until the end of your life, it may be too late. God warns us, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. You must believe that you are a sinner on your way to destruction, with no way to help yourself, and you need to realize that God loves you. The Lord Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.
As the plane landed at the Orange County Airport, Brian decided he would pick up his suitcase first and then go to the ticket counter to see if they would page his grandparents at the San Diego Airport. When he told the ticket agent his name the agent looked relieved and said, “We’ve been looking for you!”
When Brian’s grandparents did not answer when they were paged at the San Diego Airport, they were called at home. How happy and relieved they were to learn that Brian was safe. In just a few minutes Brian was in a taxicab, on his way to a joyful reunion with his grandparents.
Brian’s grandparents were so happy and thankful to find out where he was and that he was safe. They knelt down to thank the Lord Jesus for taking care of him. We read in the Bible that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. Won’t you make those who have been praying for you happy by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour right now?
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.
ML-07/03/1983