Son Dies Giving Others Life!
SUMMER 1937 MISSIS
SIPPI: Rail bridge operator John Griffith took Greg, his eight year old son, to work with him. Greg was interested in his father’s work, so he brought his son to work so he could see what it is like being a bridge operator. The boy poked around the office and asked dozens of questions – just like little boys do. The bridge stands over the great Mississippi River and whenever a ship came, John would open the bridge to allow the ships to pass. However, on this day after John opened up the draw bridge to allow a ship to pass. A moment or two later, he realized his son wasn’t in the office and as he looked around, to his horror, and saw his son climbing around on the gears of the draw bridge. He hurried outside to rescue his son, but just then he heard a fast approaching passenger train, the Memphis Express, filled with 400 people. He yelled to his son, but the noise of the now clearing ship and the oncoming train made it impossible for the boy to hear him. John realized his horrible dilemma. If he took the time to rescue his son the train would crash killing all aboard, but if he closed the bridge, the boy we be crushed in the gears! John chose to sacrifice his son. After making the unfathomable decision, the father pulled the lever and closed the bridge. It is said, as the train went by John could see the faces of the passengers, some reading, some even waving, all of them oblivious to the sacrifice that had just been made for them. John began to weep crying out, “Don’t you people realize that my son was sacrificed for yours!?”
To the best of my knowledge, the above story is true. It illustrates for us an eternal truth.
We are separated from God.
The Bible says that we have sinned against a holy God (Rom 3:23). In other words we have committed a crime against the God of the universe. He gave us His law (i.e. 10 Commandments). We have broken that law by lying, stealing, coveting, lustful thoughts, hate etc. The Bible says there is a price to be paid for our sin – eternal death known as hell (Rom 6:23).
Danger! Bridge ahead out.
Our good deeds, religious activity, or even our morality are not able to save us. To be in the presence of a holy (pure/perfect) God, means we too must be perfectly pure. This isn’t because God is cruel or unreasonable, but because He is just. If God were to overlook our crimes, then he would be a corrupt Judge. His justice demands that sin be punished. In a similar way to the above story, the bridge to God was out, as our sin had made a separation between us and God (Isa 59:2). The reality is 10 out of every 10 people die and thus all of mankind is steaming down the track toward a bridge that is up which means certain death.
God has built a bridge.
However, God sent His Son who willingly came to die in our place for our sin (Rom 5:8). Jesus bore the punishment of our sins on the cross. He did this because He loves us. The Bible says that those who put their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will have eternal life. It is by Jesus’ death on the cross that we are then able to cross over to eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). You see, He is the only bridge to heaven.
What Now?
The Bible says that if you declare Jesus as the Lord of your life and believe that Jesus rose from the dead, then you will be saved (Rom 10:9). Declaring Jesus as Lord means recognising His authority and surrendering your heart to Him. If you have a Bible, wipe off the dust and start reading it (if you do not have one, but one)! Why is the Bible so important to the Christian? It is the BasicInstructions Before Leaving Earth (B.I.B.L.E.). This is how the Christian hears the voice of God. Start reading in one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). These are the historical narratives of Jesus’ life. Also, get in contact with a Bible believing church that teaches the Bible. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions and we would be happy to do our best to help you.
