“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:7-8)
On one occasion a man went sailing with his teenage son and his best friend. Out to sea they were surprised by a storm that capsized their boat. Faced with the waves and the danger to their lives, the man clung to one of the remains of the boat, but he could only reach one of the two young men. With sadness in his voice, he shouted: -Son, I love you very much. Jesus will give you your crown- and he saved the other young man.
When they were finally rescued by the coast guard, the boy thought about what had happened and could not understand how the man chose him over his own son and asked him about it: Why did you save me and not your son? –Because my son already knows Jesus as his Savior and today he rests with the promise of eternal life; but you have not yet known Jesus as your Savior. You needed another opportunity. This man's words broke the boy's heart, and he accepted Jesus as his Savior.
This is how the message of a Colombian pastor in Bogota concluded. After the service someone approached him to tell him that this was a very striking illustration. The pastor answered: -It was not an illustration, that is the story of my conversion, I was the young man who was rescued.
Just as God gave his son as a sacrifice to give us another chance, this father did the same, carrying the greatest missionary message. Many times we focus on continuing to save those whom Jesus has already rescued; while other people who do not know Him, sink in the stormy waters of a life without Christ until death comes.
Jesus asks, and not only does Peter, do you love me? If your answer is yes, then “feed My sheep” (John 21:15). This is not only the repentant disciple's second chance, it is also your second chance to teach those who don't know that Jesus loves them and died for their salvation.
How many people do you interact with to whom you have not yet spoken about Christ's sacrifice? How many times have you been sad and kept quiet about what the Spirit told you to say? It's not time to just keep being the same way. Be a disciple of God to instruct and lead on the way to salvation.
Today, hold on very tightly to the word of God. It is your lifeboat! Invite others to ride on it. Remember that we are saved to serve.