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He Died for Me Run for the Prize Page 23
HE DIED FOR ME
the “swallow ” was making her usual crossing of Lake Erie in North America. Besides a number of passengers on her decks she carried a large cargo of tar in her hold. Half way across the lake the captain noticed smoke beginning to come from the hold. “Simpson,” he ordered the mate, “Go below and see what the matter is.”
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Simpson came up with his face as pale as ashes. “Captain,” he explained, “the ship is on fire!” The awful cry of “Fire! Fire!” was heard as billows of smoke poured from the now fiercely burning tar. All hands rushed on deck and torrents of water were poured on, but to no avail.
The panic-stricken passengers were told to get to the bow as quickly as possible while the old pilot, John Maynard, steered the vessel towards the port of Buffalo. The shore was in sight but the fire grew worse and worse. Would they make the shore in time?
“John Maynard!” shouted the captain to the helmsman.
“Yes sir,” came the answer through the flames and smoke.
“Can you hold on for five minutes more?”
“I’ll hold on with the help of God, sir!” Those were the last words he ever said.
The boat reached safety and the shore-based fire fighters controlled the blaze, but the brave pilot was terribly burned. His right hand had been burnt so much he had ceased to use it, but with his left hand he had held the helm fast and thus guided the boat to the wharf. 21
All were saved except the pilot, John Maynard, who died at his post. The funeral was an impressive one. The crew, the passengers and nearly the whole town, followed the body to its last resting place. Those who lived because he had died shed many tears of gratitude and sorrow.
If you were to go to one of the cemeteries in Buffalo, you would see a stately marble monument and on it inscribed in letters of gold: “To the Pilot, John Maynard, from the grateful passengers of the “Swallow”. He died for us”.
This true story of life on the Great Lakes of North America reminds us of another sacrifice which was made a long time ago. This was when God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth. He was born as a baby in Bethlehem and placed in a manger. He grew up to manhood living a pure and sinless life, and then offered Himself as a sacrifice to God the Father for our sin.
Now, have you ever given a thought to the Lord Jesus, who died on Calvary for you? Do you understand that He bore the punishment for your sin that you might be saved and blessed? If so, surely there will be written, not in letters of gold on a tombstone, but in burning letters on your heart –“He died for me.”
It was a simple matter of One taking another’s place. He was the innocent One and we were the guilty sinners. We deserved eternal death because of our sin, but Jesus died in our place.
What is your response to Him? Surely you will want to trust Him now and give your life to Him as your Lord and Saviour.
(Galatians 2:20). 22
RUN FOR THE PRIZE
Have you started the race to Heaven? If not, will you start today? Yes, come and trust in Jesus, He’s the Life, the Truth, the Way.
Are you running today for Heaven? Are you looking to win the race? With your eyes still fixed on Jesus And the beauties of His face.
Are you trying to run in “gumboots”, Through water and mud and grime, With that sin that drags you downwards And hinders you all the time?
Are you carrying a lot of baggage With a load upon your back? Throw off those things that hinder, Get rid of your rubbish sack.
Forgetting those things behind you Then on Jesus fix your eyes, Start running with all endurance And press on to win the prize.
Janet Fleming
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -- (Hebrews 12:1-2)
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