SalvationSample

Jerry Can

I never get tired of rescue stories. The Beaconsfield Mine in 2006 with Todd and Brant surfacing… ‘safe’, after being trapped a kilometre underground for two weeks. Then the 33 Chilean miners, Apollo 13, Bastion (and Falkor!) saving Fantasia in The Neverending Story, and the kind man with the jerry can as I ran out of petrol, again, at a McDonalds drive-thru window. The jeopardy and tension, the romance and relief of a successful rescue mission is classic Hollywood, and deeply human. We (even the wild ones) love and long for safety, certainty and security. Humans have a hard-wired hunger for freedom, redemption, reconciliation, intimacy and fullness. We may not think it or name it as we go about our days, but our heart keeps it well nourished. And you are in my favourite rescue story. Actually, we both are. It’s a wacky but true story. We were hopelessly trapped under the weight of our sin, and ourselves… all the real-time pain and, ultimately, the punishment. Buried forever and far deeper than any gold miner in Beaconsfield, we had no chance of digging our own way out. To be saved, we needed a Saviour. His name is Jesus, and He is the only way to safety, freedom, fullness and the Father.

I really like Peter, one of Jesus’ closest mates. He wrestled with the whole rescue plan while walking, talking, eating and fishing with THE Rescuer. But just after Jesus gave His life to save ours, Peter said with gusto to the rulers, elders and teachers of the law… ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved’ (Acts 4:12 NIV). Salvation is found in Jesus. No other name. It’s done. Completely. Thank you Jesus.

Written by JUSTIN KENDALL