Bay Search & Rescue in England received the call about a sheep that was stuck in quicksand on the seashore. A second sheep was spotted in a similar dilemma a few hundred yards away. The animals had been in this condition long enough that the sand gripped them tightly, as tight as concrete, their Facebook post reported. And yet the sand surrounding the sheep was too soft for rescue personnel to walk upon.
Inflatable walkways were put to use, and water hoses to soften the sand gripping the sheep’s feet. The team was able to lift each of the sheep to safety just as the alarm sounded to warn that the tide was about to come in. Just a few minutes later, the sheep would have been submerged in the rising tide at Morecambe Bay with no chance to escape.
The term “quicksand” should alarm anyone who is warned not to proceed further. What may appear to be solid ground is not solid, and quickly gives way when walked upon. As a person struggles to escape, they sink deeper and become trapped. An article on Wikipedia.com claims that it is impossible for a person to entirely sink beneath the surface, but if you’re trapped with a rising tide approaching, that is the mortal danger. You’re not going to escape.
Quicksand is not mentioned in the Bible, but hopelessly stranded sheep are. In Luke 15:4 Jesus told a parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” The inference is that this sheep was unable to rescue itself; it required intervention, a rescue by a caring shepherd.
Jesus spoke that parable in response to criticism from religious people about His habit of eating with “sinners”, people who were well known for their sinful lifestyles. Following the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus gave this application: “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
Are there any people who don’t need repentance (and thus rescue)? Romans 3:23 provides the quick answer to that question: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Every person who reaches the age of knowing right from wrong will eventually (and often) choose wrong. If they continue in that state, they’re like the sheep in England stuck in quicksand with the tide rising.
1 Timothy 1:15 declares a wonderful message for all “sheep” who are stuck in the quicksand of sin: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Heaven’s Search & Rescue has been dispatched to rescue sinners in all locations. When Jesus comes to help you, don’t refuse. He is your only hope!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall
