"The lifeline"

The gospel preaching had just begun when a visitor asked to say a few words. He began: "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast, when a fast-approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high that, even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright. The three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.'' 

He hesitated, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since he had started talking, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued the story: " Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: To which boy would he throw the other end of the lifeline? He had only a second to make the decision. The father knew for sure that his son was a real, born-again Christian, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torment of the waves. As the father yelled out, "I love you, son!" he threw out the lifeline to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat where they were seen and rescued, his son had disappeared beneath the raging waves. His body was never recovered."

By this time the two teenagers were sitting up straight in their seats, anxiously waiting for the next words. "The father," continued the speaker, "knew his son would step into heaven with Jesus--and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend.

"How great is the love of God, that he should do the same for us! Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you-take hold of the lifeline!" The visitor sat down.

After the gospel meeting was over, the two teenagers were at the speaker's side. "That was a good story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his own son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadening his face, he once again looked up at the boy and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I am here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see, I was that father-and the man who preached the gospel tonight was my son's friend!"

"God so loved the world {you} that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever {you again} believeth in should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

How about you? Will you receive the lifeline now?

"Echoes of Grace" stories provided by:
Bible Truth Publishers
59 Industrial Road
P.O. Box 649
Addison, Illinois 60101 U.S.A.
 
Phone: (630)543-1441
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