Help from above

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15

Some years ago, the crew of the submarine "Squalus" realized they had taken their last dive. They were helpless on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, 240 feet down. They sent up flares. Help must come from above! Another submarine discovered their plight. Rescuers came with a ten-ton diving bell. Each time the bell descended, it took up several men until all were rescued. When the bell came down, not one refused to be rescued. No one said, "I don't know how diving bells work so I don't trust them." No one found fault with the rescue crew! No one said, "I'll think it over." All gladly accepted their rescue.

According to the Bible, we are all sinners. We cannot save ourselves. Help must come from above. Christ Jesus is the heaven sent "diving bell." He left his home in glory and came down to save sinners. That coming down resulted in humiliation, grief, appalling suffering, and death, even death on a cross. One by one, he offers to rescue us, raise us from death to life, and finally raises us up with him and "seats us with him (Jesus) in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 2:6). 

First Timothy 1:15 is a beautiful summary of the Good News we have to tell the world! A favorite way of mine to help tell the world is through Audio Scripture Ministries based in Holland, Michigan (www.audioscriptures.org). Recently, a person in India who never had the opportunity to go to school received a little digital audio Bible in her language. She said, "This is the best gift I ever received."