For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Ever heard the term “rescue club”? You don’t hear it much these days, but it was a big deal when TaylorMade introduced the original version back in the late 1990s.
It earned its name from the purpose it served—it “rescued” golfers from challenging situations or tricky lies. The rescue club gave golfers a better option for escaping those difficult situations we sometimes find on the golf course—like hacking out of long grass in the deep rough or keeping a punch shot low underneath tree branches.
In addition to “rescue” situations, the club grew in popularity because players found it easier to hit than certain fairway woods and long irons. In fact, it’s reached the point that if you go to buy a new set of irons, you may no longer see a 2-, 3-, or even 4-iron in the set.
Bottom line: for many golfers, the rescue club has made golf more enjoyable. These days, there are a wide variety of models with many different lofts to choose from. If you go to purchase one, to avoid possible confusion you may want to refer to it by the more common name it’s known by today—hybrids.
When we turn to the Bible, we find numerous rescue stories. Noah followed God’s direction to build an ark, rescuing a remnant of humanity from destruction in the great flood. Isaac was rescued by an angel just before being sacrificed by his father Abraham.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but years later he rose to power in Egypt and ended up rescuing his father and brothers from starvation.
The Jewish nation was in bondage for 400 years before God appointed Moses to rescue them and lead them toward the Promised Land.
In the book of Daniel, we see two incredible stories of rescue by the hand of God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were protected from perishing in King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. Later, we read about Daniel’s rescue from certain death after being thrown into the lions’ den.
But the greatest rescue story of all occurs in the New Testament. Two thousand years ago, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven to earth on a rescue mission. Jesus’ overriding purpose was to save humanity, accomplished by dying on the cross in our place.
On Good Friday it appeared that the cross marked Satan’s greatest triumph. Yet, God’s perfect plan was still unfolding. Jesus died so that we could live. And when he rose from the tomb on Easter morning, the rescue plan was complete. Sin and death were conquered, and Satan was defeated. Try to imagine a greater rescue than that!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus, who left the glory of heaven to rescue us from a life of sin and death. To him be the glory forever. Amen