The world has been watching the events in Thailand, waiting to learn that the 12 boys and their coach who were trapped in the Tham Luan Nang Non cave have been rescued. A soccer team and its coach went into the cave system to explore. They did not realize that monsoon rains would raise the water levels in the cave system and trap them inside. We rejoice that at least nine of the boys have been rescued.
The situation of these boys and coach is an illustration of the spiritual trouble that all people are in. The Bible teaches that all people are trapped in the “cave” of sin and are unable to find their way out in order to get to heaven.
Now many people do not think of themselves as trapped, or in spiritual trouble. Many people think that they can get out of this trouble by their own efforts. Some think that our “spiritual cave system” has many ways to get to heaven. Others become angry when it is suggested that someone needs to “save” them from sin and death. A growing number of people declare that there is no cave, no sin, no law, and no god.
In His justice, God could have punished all people for breaking His holy Laws. However, God is also merciful, even to those who hate Him. God sent His Son into the world to rescue all people from sin and death. Jesus could accomplish this because He is both true God and true man—two natures in one Person. Jesus shared our sorrows, was tempted like as we are (yet without sin), and experienced death on the cross. Jesus fulfilled God’s Laws—by keeping them perfectly as we could not, and by suffering the just punishment of death in our place. Jesus promised that everyone who believes on Him has forgiveness of sins and has eternal life in heaven.
Jesus has given believers in Him a wonderful task: “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). They are to proclaim that Jesus has rescued all people from sin and death. And Jesus declares a wonderful promise: “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). May we ever thank Jesus for coming to this earth to rescue all people.
Rev. Theodore Gullixson
