Some of you may recall the incident in August 2010 where 33 Chilean miners, having been 2300 feet underground for 70 days due to a mine collapse, were lifted to the surface in a 21inch wide escape pod. The world watched in prayer and hope that someone would be able to find a way to rescue these men. During the initial 17 days of their entrapment the miners did not know if they would ever be rescued and they were confined to a 23ft chamber, surviving on a ration of tuna and milk. After they were located, it was initially deemed that it would take until Christmas before they could be rescued. Drilling the escape shaft was definitely an engineering marvel, including preparing the escape pod. And then a loud cheer was given as miner after miner was seen as they surfaced from the escape pod and then reunited with their families. Reflecting back on this rescue I was reminded that the peril of these men is a vivid illustration of one who has never trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior; but then chooses to receive the only help that will save them – Jesus Christ. Each one of these men was in the same condition: a) they were all confined in a dark terrible place; b) they had no idea as to what their outcome was going to be (die in their place or be rescued). When they were located, word was sent down that a rescue plan would be worked on. Once the rescue tunnel was completed, each man had to voluntarily step inside the escape pod and trust that the cable attached to the pod would safely raise him to the surface – for there would be no other way of escape.
Every human being must come to an understanding that they are a sinner in a dark and desperate terrible place; lost in their sin.
Romans 3:23 states,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 5:12 states,
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
The Bible teaches us that God knew what the condition of man would become before man was ever formed and He designed His saving plan for man to have a way of escape.
John 3:16 states,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
1 Peter 1:18-21 states,
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
Acts 4:12 states,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
As each miner came to understand that he could not rescue himself, each sinner must come to the same understanding that he cannot rescue himself from the depths of sin. But praise be to God that Christ not only seeks out the location of the sinner, He provided the way of salvation.
Luke 19:10 states,
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Romans 1:16 states,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
John 1:12 states,
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 5:24 states,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
Consider for a moment if one or more of the miners had decided that they did not like the rescue plan and that they would hold out until a new plan was devised. Their outcome would have been fatally hopeless. Similarly, this will be the fate of the unbelieving sinner if he/she chooses to reject God’s plan of salvation.
John 8:24 states,
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
Have you allowed Jesus Christ to raise you from the depths of your sin unto eternal life? If not, why not let Jesus Christ rescue you today.
