Articles
Impressions From The Chilean Mine Rescue
Were you one of the millions who watched it? Millions around the world were inspired, amazed and grateful as we watched thirty-three miners in Chile lifted to salvation at the earth's surface. As I watched, I knew immediately there would be many applications we could make as we compare it to the drama of how God saves us. For as great as the Chilean drama was, it cannot even come close to what God has done to save us from our bondage to sin. Let's look at a few things that come to mind.
Like them, our help had to come from above. After a landslide, the exit ramps were all shut off. Here they were trapped 2300 feet below the earth's surface. That's almost twice the height of the Empire State Building. What could they do to get out of that situation? They couldn't dig. They couldn't climb. The answer is: nothing. They were in bondage in a tomb of death. The only way these men were ever going to be saved was if help came from above.
So it is with us. When we were without strength to do anything to save ourselves, Jesus died for us (Rom. 5:6-8). What we couldn't do, He did (Rom. 8:3). God sent help from above (John 8:23). And the beauty of our story is that it doesn't matter how deep in sin we are, God's grace can reach us (Rom. 5:20-21).
This is the plight of the whole world (1st John 2:1-2). Like the first rescuer down, Jesus is our advocate, our helper. And all the way up, we can stay in contact with the One above who hears us and is ready to help (Heb. 4:14-16).
After those above did all the hard work, those trapped below had to cooperate. Think of all the hard work that went into the miner's rescue. It took planning, designing, digging and executing. It was a dilemma. Likewise there was what is sometimes called a "divine dilemma" in God saving us. Sin brings a death penalty. All of us deserved to pay the penalty. God's justice demands it. But God is also love and doesn't want us to pay the penalty. How could God be true to His justice and have the penalty paid and at the same time show His love and keep us from paying the penalty? The answer is the cross!! Jesus paid the penalty for us. At the cross, justice and love meet (Rom. 3:35-26).
Now, this was hard work. No rescue would ever be harder than the one Jesus performed. His sweat fell like great drops of blood at the thought of it. Think of the agonies of the cross. The hard part was done by Him. Our part is relatively easy (Romans 10:5-11). We don't have to ascend to heaven to bring Jesus down nor do we have descend into the realm of the dead to raise Him from the dead. God did both. We simply believe in Him, repent of our sins, confess our faith and then get in the capsule of safety. Just as they had to enter into the capsule, we have to enter into Christ, which we do when we are baptized for the remission of our sins (Gal. 3:27). These miners were not earning their salvation by cooperating and getting in the capsule and neither are we earning anything by being baptized into Christ. We are saved by the mercy of the One above, but we still have to do what the rescuer says for us to do.
The miners had to cooperate together. These miners could have gone mad and turned on each other like a pack of wolves, but they didn't. They knew they needed each other. They worked together until the day of rescue came. They couldn't say, "I'm not working with you anymore. I'll find me another hole to crawl into."
In a similar way, Christians need each other. We must be patient with each other and work to stay in unity (Ephesians 4:1-3). Let's quit running off to another local church when we get upset with one another. Stay. Learn to work together. Bond with one another even in tough and trying times. Endure (Heb. 10:36). One person said of the men, "They behaved like true miners." We need to behave like true Christians. Show the world our love, unity and resilience (Jn.13:34-35). Like porcupines, we may stick each other when we huddle together, but we need the warmth. Put up with a few barbs. Stay together.
There was great light at the end of the tunnel. Chileans were able to watch a video feed from a camera attached atop the capsule. They saw how it looked as it ascended this tunnel, this path to the top. It showed a "brilliant white light at the end of the tunnel getting bigger and bigger and finally exploding like a starburst as each man ascended." I know there are dark days here below, but we are on a journey of light; light that ever increases until one day there is an explosion of light. When Jesus was born a light shined over Bethlehem (Matt. 2:2). Then as He lived a light was shining in the region of Galilee (Mt. 4:16). Now, it shines in our lives giving us direction (John 1:1-9). But one day, there will be an explosion of light in heaven as Jesus, the Lamb of God, illuminates the entire place (Rev. 21:22-27).
There will be a great welcome and reunion in heaven. I'll never forget seven-year-old Barion Avelos embracing his father, the first miner to make it to the top. What a reunion. But that pales in comparison to the day we see our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (1st John 3:1-3). Then to see all the rest of the family of God!! What a day, glorious day that will be.
This Chilean miners' rescue was so watched because it was finally some good news for a change. Yet, we've had the gospel, good news all along. Let's share it to save those yet ensnared to the devil (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Are you in the capsule of safety? Enter into Christ today.
