Robert D. Pace
Years ago, a pastor related the story of a father, son, and friend sailing off the Pacific Coast. In an instant, the ocean was turned into a tempest and they were prevented from returning to shore. The father was an experienced seaman, but this was no ordinary storm. Despite his skills, the wind blew their vessel farther from shore. As the storm increased, both boys were thrown into the water. The father grabbed a rescue line and instantly realized his “life or death” choice: Which boy would he throw the line to? With only seconds to decide, the father yelled, “I love you, son!” and threw the rope to his son’s unsaved friend. Once his son’s friend was rescued, the pastor’s son drowned. His body was never recovered. The father had sacrificed his Christian son because he couldn’t bear the thought of his son’s friend dying without Christ.
Two skeptical teenagers heard the pastor tell that story and wanted to know more. So after the service they approached the pastor and said: “That was a nice story, but it’s not realistic that a father would ignore his son, save a stranger, and hope that the boy would become a Christian.” The pastor replied, “You’re right. It doesn’t seem real. But the fact is, I stand as a witness to those facts because I was the one rescued from the waters.”
That’s what our heavenly Father did for us. We were hopelessly lost in a storm of sin, but instead of letting us drown, He sacrificed His only begotten Son, and threw the lifeline to us.
—Author unknown
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (25) In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (NASB).
—1 Corinthians 11:23-26—