Our title is taken from a popular UK TV series, which highlights the work of the RNLI (the UK volunteer lifeboat service). Britain is an island, and the sea plays an important role both in commerce and leisure. It is easy for people to quickly get into difficulty, whether through the force of nature or their own poor judgment or preparation. The RNLI describes itself as ‘the charity that saves lives at sea’, and the show is full of true stories of courage and dedication as the unpaid volunteer lifeboat crew seek to save others.
The Storm on Galilee
Jesus carried out his work in Israel, much of it in the north, around the Sea of Galilee. He grew up there, and some of his disciples were highly experienced fishermen. It’s no surprise that some notable events in the Gospels happen by, or on the sea. Here’s an example from Matthew 8:23-27:
‘When [Jesus] got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marvelled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”’
The story shows us the power that Jesus had available to him – the power that came from God – which could even control the elements. It also shows his care for people’s lives, as he chose to use this power to save his disciples.
Saving Our Lives
There is a bigger picture here. We are all ‘at sea’ in the sense that we all die eventually. Even a lifeboat can only delay this. It may be nature taking its own course, or our own poor judgment, but the best medical knowledge and care can at best only extend our lives. Sad but true. What wouldn’t we give to overcome this?
The great news is that Jesus has already beaten death! Through him, God offers everyone the opportunity to live for ever in a perfect world here on earth – the Kingdom of God. This is the Bible’s Gospel message, and there is lots we could say, but consider a few significant points:
Although Jesus had the power of God at his disposal, it was through love and his character that he overcame death. He did it by being obedient to God, living perfectly by all the standards he taught – see Matthew 5:2-12, for example. Because of this, when he was unjustly murdered, God raised him from the dead AND accepted him as a perfect sacrifice.
- Jesus was a volunteer – he chose to take his place in God’s plan, to give his life for men and women like us.
- This opened the way for us to live for ever, immune from pain, suffering and the trials of this life. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him’ (John 3:16-17).
Jesus is coming soon to set up the Kingdom of God. Then he will give this gift of eternal life to those who have been faithful, raising those who have already died in faith.
Jesus really DOES save lives. Just like people being saved at sea, we must respond and follow the instructions, for our eternal lives to be secured. This means to believe God, to show that belief through being baptised, and then to live trying our best to please Him (Hebrews 11:6, Mark 16:6, 2 Peter 3:9).
There’s lots in the Bible about this: read it for yourself. If you want more information, try searching ‘kingdom of God’.
Andrew Hale
