The passengers, consisting of researchers and tourists, found themselves trapped in thick Antarctic ice. Their vessel, known as the Akademik Shokalskiy, could not move. According to the Associated Press, it “got stuck after a blizzard pushed the sea ice around the ship, freezing it in place about 1,700 miles south of Hobart, Tasmania.”

Crew members called for help. Icebreakers and other vessels from China, France and Australia came but they could not free the ship. For ten days the passengers waited anxiously as the responding teams tried and failed to rescue them. Eventually they found help from above: A Chinese helicopter waited until weather conditions had cleared before it descended over the ship and rescued all 52 passengers.

This dramatic story may serve to illustrate an important message about our lives and the good news of Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look.

First, the passengers were trapped and could not save themselves. This describes the condition of all humanity. We are all sinners and trapped in sin. We cannot save ourselves – even when we do our best. The Bible says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isa. 64:6 NKJV). Left to ourselves we are hopeless. Sin is not good for us. It leads to death and separation from God (Rom. 6:23).

Second, they remained trapped even when other vessels tried to help. Similarly, we remain trapped in our sins even if we look to others for help. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name [Jesus Christ] under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NASB).

We might turn to religion or institutions, or rely on psychology and self-help gurus. We could try therapy, meditation or positive thinking. Still, we would come up short, as the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23 NKJV).

Third, the passengers were rescued only when they received help from above. Likewise, we are only saved from our sinful state when we receive help from heaven by means of Jesus Christ. Like the helicopter that waited for clear weather conditions, God waited for the right time to send His Son, Jesus, into the world. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” (Gal. 4:4-5 NRSV)

Yes, our help comes from above in the person of Jesus Christ. “And He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world’” (Jn. 8:23 NKJV).

In order to be rescued from our sin and its penalty we must trust in Christ alone to save us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16).

Have you received God’s wonderful gift of eternal life? Have you asked Him to rescue you from your sins? If not, then I urge you to do so today. Look up, and call on Him to save you. “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). We can tell you how.

By Roscoe Barnes III