The Captain’s Glory

Rom. 5: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The large ship had come into harbour. Crowds of people gathered at the pier. Presently the captain appeared and immediately all eyes were on him. Bobby’s eyes grew wide with wonder as he admired the captain’s peaked cap, his shining boots, his well-fitting coat adorned with medals and buttons that glistened like polished gold. He was a magnificent man. Bobby could not take his eyes off him.

Suddenly the sound of a frightened scream pierced the air. Four year-old Jimmy had fallen from the pier into the dark green water. Everyone panicked as he disappeared beneath the murky water. Bobby turned back to look for the captain. Where was he? Then he saw him. He had removed his peaked cap and shiny boots and was quickly unbuttoning his splendid coat. The captain rushed to the edge of the pier and plunged into the dark slimy water. A cheer went up from the crowd as he swam back, climbed out of the water and handed little Jimmy safely to his anguished mother. Bobby looked at the captain. He was not glorious any more. His clothes were grimy and pieces of waste matter clung to his wet, dripping hair as he shivered with cold. The glory was gone.

Long ago, there was another captain, much more glorious than Bobby’s captain. The Bible called Him “Captain of the host of the Lord”. A member of the Godhead, He was admired and worshipped by the entire universe. His glory was beyond our imagination. But mankind was in need of rescue from the darkness of sin and destruction and this wonderful, magnificent, glorious Captain took off His glory, put it down and plunged into our dark, dirty world of sin. The prophet Isaiah described what He became for us: “He has no form or comeliness, and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him”.

What a sacrifice! The glorious Captain of Heaven put aside His glory to save you and me. So, if he asked you to do something for Him could you say no? Does it touch your heart to think of the Saviour’s love and sacrifice for you? If not, maybe you should find a quiet corner now and talk to God about it. Read the story of His love over and over again in the Gospels. Read it until you begin to appreciate His great sacrifice for you.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for being cold and not loving my Saviour as I should. Teach me to be grateful and to love Him with all my heart, in Jesus’ name, amen.