Mack and Jon-Jon, both nine years old, climbed over piles of driftwood that lined the beach and walked out onto the tidal flats. The boys often played on the tidal flats, and no matter how many times they explored them, it seemed that they always discovered something new.
It was low tide, and the receding water had left behind lots of sand, mud and seaweed that wasn’t normally seen. A few areas were above water, but most of the tideland was covered with several inches of water. This shallow water warmed up quickly in the summer sun, which made it great fun for the boys to splash through as they walked. Small fish would dart out of their way as they walked, and crabs would scurry sideways to try to hide under the long strands of seaweed. The tidelands were always full of marine and bird life, and today was no different.
As the boys roamed far out, Jon-Jon found a particularly soft spot in the mud underfoot and let his feet sink in. Most of the underwater footing was firm, so that sinking into the mud so quickly was unusual. He sank in past his ankles, and when he tried to remove his feet, the suction from the mud was so strong that it broke one of the straps of his sandals before he got his feet free. This was great fun and something new to the boys, so Mack thought he would let himself sink in the mud too.
Mack stepped into the soft spot and stood still for a minute or so while he sank past his ankles and then halfway up to his knees. But when he tried to pull his feet out of the mud, they wouldn’t come out. He wiggled his legs back and forth and tried pulling in every direction, but this only made him sink faster. He called to Jon-Jon to take his hand and pull him out, but no matter how hard Jon-Jon pulled, Mack continued to sink.
Mack had sunk up to his waist when Jon-Jon gave up pulling and decided to run for help. The tide had also turned, and the ocean water was slowly coming back over the tidal flats.
Knowing Mack’s danger, Jon-Jon ran as fast as he could, until it felt like his lungs would burst. Jon-Jon’s family lived in a house at the edge of the beach. Both his parents were deep-sea divers who were not working that morning because of the strong tidal currents out in the deeper water. He quickly told his parents about Mack’s danger. Together they ran back to the boy, who by now had sunk into the mud up to his chest.
At first, Jon-Jon’s dad tried to pull Mack out. When that didn’t work, they cupped their hands and tried to scoop away the mud next to Mack’s body to dig him out. However, as soon as they pulled some mud away, more would instantly fill the spot. They realized that they were getting nowhere, and every minute counted because the returning tide was coming closer.
Jon-Jon’s dad ran along the beach and found a piece of discarded plywood and some driftwood. He made a barricade around Mack with the driftwood and a little platform with the plywood where they could toss the mud once they pulled it away from Mack. Jon-Jon’s mom had already called 911 on her cell phone, and an emergency rescue team would be arriving soon . . . but would it be soon enough?
Jon-Jon and his parents dug out mud as fast as they could. They were not sure they would be able to free him before the tide returned! Then, at last, the suction broke around Mack. They pulled him out! In only a matter of minutes, the returning tide flooded the spot.
Mack was so relieved and happy to get out of the mud and get his feet on solid ground. His mom, who had been at work, had raced to the beach as soon as she heard of her son’s danger. She was anxiously waiting for her rescued son.
How good that Mack had a friend who ran for help, because he never could have gotten out of that double danger by himself. How good that sinners have a real friend in Jesus who is able to rescue them from the even greater danger their sins have caused. Psalm 40:22He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2) says, “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
Sin is just like the mud that was holding Mack. At first the mud appeared harmless and inviting. But once Mack stepped into it, he couldn’t help being sucked deeper and deeper. He couldn’t get out of it by himself and was about to drown if no one could help him before the incoming tide reached him. Sin has also placed each one of us in serious danger - the danger of dying in our sins, and the danger is just as real! God cannot let one sin go unpunished, and if you will not come to the Lord Jesus for salvation before you die, you will pass “into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:1212But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)). There you will be punished for your sins forever.
But just as there was rescue for Mack, there is rescue for the sinner. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). Because Jesus died on Calvary’s cross in the sinner’s place, He is offering you the gift of salvation. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). Even though you might have committed many sins, this gift of salvation will be yours if you choose to receive it by faith.
“Blessed [happy] is the man that [makes] the Lord his trust” (Psalm 40:44Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. (Psalm 40:4)). Won’t you be one who realizes your need of salvation and come to the Lord Jesus by faith, letting Him wash you clean from every sin, so that this safety and happiness can be yours?
ML-01/04/2004