The Rescue
September 6, 2010 • By Ed Wrather
09.06.10
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver (rescue - NIV) us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. - Galatians 1:3-5.
He has delivered (rescued - NIV) us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14.
It all happened on a railroad bridge in Montana between Roundup and Billings. Someone called and reported that two of them were stranded on a half foot wide slanted ledge on the bridge. There was some confusion about exactly where they were located and so no rescue could be attempted until a second call came in with a more exact location. Sandy Church who observed the rescue said, "The whole time, we thought they were going to fall off. These guys are just babies." Signal Peak Energy that runs a nearby mine volunteered a huge cherry picker and both of them were plucked to safety. Both of the young female goats are now in good condition at an animal shelter. The goats both have collars, and it is hoped that their owner will hear about the story and contact the shelter.
Two thousand years ago there was another rescue well planned and well executed. The human race was in trouble, and they needed a Savior. Jesus volunteered for the mission and agreed that He would arrive on Planet Earth as a tiny baby born into a peasant family. He would appear to be just a normal human being, a normal boy growing up. He would feel pain, joy, and the full range of human emotions, feelings, and sensations. He would learn the trade of His step-father, Joseph and become a carpenter until He was about the age of thirty. Then Jesus would become a teacher, what some would call a rabbi, gathering followers, disciples for about three years. At that time, Jesus would be crucified, He would give His life for the sins of the people, for all who would look to Him and receive Him as their Savior.
The rescue went as planned. It was the perfect plan carried out by the perfect Savior, who lived a perfect life, and died an extraordinary death. He lived, He died, and He rose again on the third day. He ascended back into Heaven and is at the right hand of the Father. The rescue, the mission was completed. Now, the Savior awaits all those who will believe in Him. The temptation has been endured, the pain has been borne, the work has been done, the blood has been shed because as Jesus says in John 19:30, "It is finished!"
Sadly, some do not realize they need to be rescued. As we are told in 2 Corinthians 4:4, there are some "whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." What should we who have had the light of the Gospel shined upon us do? The Bible has some guidance for us as we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences." We are also told in Jude 1:22-23, "And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." What does that mean? It means if we are still here breathing on Planet Earth that there are some rescues that need to be made. You and I are the designated rescuers. Let's roll!
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