Some years ago at a seaside, seven boys were out in a boat, doubtless enjoying themselves, as only boys can when they have their freedom. They could do just as they pleased, with no older person near to check their fun, and not thinking of any possible danger which might be near. Like many in respect of this world’s pleasures, they enjoy themselves to the full, regardless of the fact that their pleasures are only for a season and that eternity draws near.
All went well for a time, and they had reached a point some distance from the shore, when their boat overturned and they were all thrown into the water. Fortunately they were all able to get hold of the boat which was floating upside down, and they held on as best they could, thankful to be saved so far from a watery grave. Their trouble, however, was not over, for there was no one in sight who could come to their aid, and only one of their number could swim.
This lad was a fairly strong swimmer, and he determined to do his best to save his friends. Taking one of them, he began to swim toward the shore and soon had the satisfaction of knowing that he was safe on land. Back again to the boat he swam, and again brought a companion to safety. Five times he did the journey and five of his friends were brought safely to the shore. By this time, he was feeling very tired, and he wondered if he could swim much more. But there was still his friend out there on the boat, in danger of slipping off and being drowned. Putting his own feelings aside, he again entered the water and began his last journey.
We might pause to say, “What bravery!” and how anxiously the others would watch him as he went on, stroke after stroke, farther and farther from the land. It reminds us of the Lord Jesus who set His face as a flint to go to Jerusalem knowing that at the end of His journey, He was to be delivered up into the hands of sinful men who would crucify Him.
The boy in our story did not know what the end of his swim would be, though as he felt himself getting weaker, he may have had some anxious fears. How long that swim would have seemed to him and how far away the boat seemed this time. Would he ever reach it? Then as those on shore watched him, they saw him stop. Yes, that last swim was too much and, exhausted by his efforts, he sank beneath the water. He was willing to save, but so far as that one clinging to the boat was concerned, he was not able to save him.
The last boy, however, was saved by a man who came along soon afterwards. How those boys would remember the love of their friend who had died for them! How they would love to think of him as one who had given himself to rescue them.
As I heard this story, that scripture came into my mind, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me,” Gal. 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). The Lord Jesus knew He was going into death. Indeed, He came down into this world that He might die, “The Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).
Has the boy or girl who may read this story ever thought of the great love of the Lord Jesus who could come from heaven’s heights right down to Calvary’s depths, that He might take upon Himself sin’s heavy load; that He might, in His death, bear the judgment of it—yes, for your sin—in order that the sinner might be free? Will you not believe it for yourself and turn your heart to Him in true repentance and in thankfulness for His great love for you?
ML 09/17/1961