Celilo Falls is approximately eighty air miles east of Portland, Oregon, on the Columbia River. Many years ago the Indians were granted fishing rights there by the United States government. Platforms were built over the water, and from there the Indians fish for salmon with long-handled nets.
One day Danny Sampson, an eight-year-old boy from Yakima, fell from one of the fishing platforms into the swiftly flowing waters below. He was carried helplessly downstream, and the waters were so murky and turbulent that no one could see him. However, another Indian, who was fishing downstream from a platform, dipped his long-handled net into the water below the platform, hoping somehow to find the boy. He caught him in his net! With the help of another man he hauled Danny to safety. They were happily surprised to find him alive and unhurt, though bruised and frightened.
A wonderful rescue! If the net had not been at the exact spot at the right moment, the boy would have been beyond the help of anyone and would have died in the rushing waters.
This reminds us of a much greater rescue-a work which God sent His Son to accomplish. This work was done nearly 2000 years ago, when Jesus Christ the Savior died for us on Calvary’s cross. Ever since that time God has been calling upon people to believe in His Son, saying to them that if they will receive Him as their Savior and Lord, they will receive as a free gift “everlasting life.”
The boy fell from the platform into the swift waters of certain death, reminding us that we too belong to a fallen race, rushing on to death and judgment. Yes, the human race has fallen. The theory of evolution says that mankind-both men and women-is gradually improving and moving upward. (A look at the world today should refute that idea!) The Bible says that man has fallen and needs a Savior to save him from his sins. That is why the Lord’s personal name is “Jesus.” “Jesus” means “Savior,” and He came into this world to save us who could not save ourselves.
Danny Sampson knew he could not save himself. Do you know that, or are you one of the many who try to make themselves presentable to God by doing good to others? God refuses to be bribed in that way. No, we must come to Him in His own way, realizing we are lost and cannot save ourselves.
Why not say the same as another man who cried, “What must I do to be saved?” Do you know the answer to that question? It is clear and simple: “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 rescuer could not see the boy in the waters below, but the Lord does see us in our sins and on the way to a lost eternity. He is able and willing-yes, even longing-to save every one of us. All the waters of God’s wrath passed over the Lord Jesus when He bore the judgment for sin (Psa. 42:77Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalm 42:7)). That is why God can be just and at the same time justify those who believe in Jesus. Have you believed in Him?
Think, too, of the joy to follow. There is joy now in heaven over one sinner that repents. You also can have a personal joy in your heart which is different from anything you can find in this world. Beside this, you can look forward with certainty to meeting the Savior face to face and being with Him and like Him forever. This is infinitely more than we could have thought of or asked for, had it been left to us.
Do not let anyone deceive you. Either you are on your way to heaven, a sinner saved from his sins, or you are on your way to hell with your sins upon you. There is no middle ground, and there is no “second chance” after death. Be wise, and come now while there is still time.