TAKE HOLD

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:11

We have probably seen people being rescued from flood waters at one time or another. Sometimes helicopters are used. They lower baskets for people to get into or just ropes for them to hang onto. Imagine this for a moment. You are standing on the roof of your house with raging waters all around it. The water level is rising quickly and your house could be swept away at any second. Then, a helicopter appears and lowers a rope to you. It is right in front of you. All you have to do it take a hold of it. You look up and wave the helicopter off, saying that you are OK and that you will be fine, you are all set. The helicopter hovers for some time, hoping that you will take a hold of the rope, but you just keep waving them off. Finally the helicopter leaves and as it does they look down to see you and your house swept away to destruction and death.

How many people tell Jesus they are “all set?” His people share the gospel with them, sometimes “hovering” for a period of time, but the person hearing the good news of salvation from sin and destruction just waves them off. How sad is that? The above illustration speaks of physical death, but the rejection of the Good News speaks of a spiritual and eternal death (Matthew 25:46; Romans 6:2:3; Revelation 20:15).

Jesus is the only one who can save us from the eternal consequences of sin (Romans 3:21-27; John 14:6; Act 4:12). He alone has taken our penalty and punishment for sin at the cross (Isaiah chapter 53: Acts 8:26-40) and rose from the dead, proving Himself to be the Son of God (Matthew chapter 28; Romans 1:1-4). There is no other Savior… none.

There are those who will oppose and speak against Jesus and His followers as stated in Luke 2:34 and Revelation 12:17. Again, it is so sad when people have the Life Rope (Jesus) right in from of them, but speak evil of it and will not take hold.

Dear Father, as we share the Good News about Your Son, may many take hold and trust Him. Oh that they would know You and Your Son by the Holy Spirit’s enlightening. May it be so.