Search and Rescue

 Feb 18, 1952 was no ordinary day off the coast of New England. A Nor'easter blew in causing boisterous angry sea conditions. The SS Pendleton, a tanker ship, got into trouble. A search plane discovered that the ship had cut into two halves. The pounding surf made it impossible to get a rescue boat to them. 

Back at the Chatham Lifeboat Station four men volunteered to risk their lives attempting to save the surviving crew members. Taking a small CG36500 boat Captain Bernard Webber and this three men crew battled tidal wave conditions to reach the distressed ship. Against all odds Webber navigated the small boat to the sinking ship. The only way to rescue the sailors was to pull up next to the ship and for the men to climb down rope ladders. It was suicide for sure. Webber timed each swell to pull up next to the ship and get a few men off each time. Out of the 33 surviving crew members of the Pendleton they only lost the cook who fell in the sea and drowned. 32 men were saved that day. 

They made a movie about that daring rescue. It is a thrilling adventure ride. One of the greatest rescue missions in the U.S. Coast Guard history. All four of those brave men who went out that day were awarded the highest honors. 

Truth be told that rescue mission pales in comparison to the rescue mission of the Lord Jesus Christ coming to planet Earth to die on a cross to rescue people from their sins. It is the greatest news in a world filled with bad news. Jesus rescued us when we were completely helpless. [Rom 5:8] He rescued and delivered us. [Col 1:13-14] He redeemed us. His sacrificial death atoned for our transgressions. It was a lavish gift of grace. [Eph 1:7-8]

Jesus saved me 41 years ago. I am just as humbled, grateful, and unworthy today as I was that October evening back in 1983. He rescued me like a lifeguard rescues a drowning man. I was drowning in my sin. I could not free myself. My life was headed in the gutter. Jesus paid my ransom to set me free. He deserves my allegiance, love, devotion, and lifelong service. 

The greatest search and rescue mission in history was Jesus dying on a cross so that people like us could be saved from the impending wrath of God. He bravely took on the sin of the world as our propitiation and our advocate. [I Jn 2:1-2] What a glorious thought that brings joyous bliss that our sins have been washed away and we are forgiven. Jesus pardoned us. May we spend our days searching and rescuing others by telling them this great news.