January 6, 1991
American Airlines flight 581 from Bermuda to Boston carried a very special passenger. Six-week-old Eric was traveling with his parents and doctor to the Boston Children’s Hospital where he was to receive special medical care.
Little Eric was carefully brought onto the airplane in an incubator. Emergency medical technicians and flight attendants hovered over him. For several minutes they worked, carefully strapping the baby’s incubator into a safe position for flight.
I couldn’t help noticing Eric’s tiny face and body. He only weighed about 5-1/2 pounds. He had silky black hair and was neatly dressed in a little blue outfit that was too big for him. And even though Eric had a tube entering one side of his nose and tubes entering both wrists, he seemed to be resting comfortably.
“It’s sad,” said the woman in the row in front of me.
Somehow I didn’t think so. I was glad Eric’s parents and doctor were doing all they could to save his life.
Just as Eric’s parents were taking him to Boston for medical help, many parents take their children to Sunday school or other places where they can hear about the Lord Jesus Christ and how He can save them from their sickness of sin. These children do not need a doctor for their natural body, but a Saviour who can give them a new sinless heart.
Ezekiel 18:44Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4) says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” This death is not just natural death; it means being separated from God forever-all because of our sins. When the Lord Jesus Christ suffered on the cross of Calvary, He bore the punishment for sin so that we could be healed. Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) says that “with His stripes we are healed.” Only the healing that the Lord Jesus gives can make us fit for heaven. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that “cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).
During our flight Eric’s parents and doctor kept checking on him. The incubator had a machine on it that showed them Eric’s heart beat. His parents loved him very much, and they were deeply concerned.
There are many concerned parents, Sunday school teachers and others who love children and want them to be saved. And even more important, God loves children and is deeply concerned about them. In Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Solomon urges the reader to, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Jesus Himself declares, “Suffer [allow] little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:1616But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16).
Some children put off getting saved from their sins. They use the excuse that they will do it when they are older. But they don’t seem to think about whether or not they will live to be much older. Little Eric’s life was in danger, and he was only six weeks old. Proverbs 27:1 Says, “Boast not thyself of to-morrow.” God wants each one to be saved right NOW! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
After about two hours we landed safely in Boston. Turning to Eric’s mother I let her know I would be praying for him.
If you are still in your sins, many are probably praying for you, that you will let the Lord Jesus heal you before it is forever too late. Our prayer is that you will believe God’s Word and accept His healing for your sins. He is ready and willing.
Are you?
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”
ML-01/06/1991