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“Jesu said to him, “I am the (only) Way (to God) and the (real)Truth and the (real) Life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”” John 14:6 Amplified Version

The other day I was watching a show about the horrific events of 9/11. It was a normal day. Men and women were working hard at the World Trade Center when suddenly a plane plowed through the first tower causing debris to fall like snow all over, and flames to ignite with mighty force. It was a nightmare. Heroic firefighters rushed onto the scene knowing they would probably not ever come out. Not much later, the second tower blew up as another plane crashed into it.

People were screaming for help. Phone calls were frantically being made to friends and family. Prayers were being offered up. Men and women were jumping from the towers because they could not stand the flames and the fact that they were going to be burned to death. 911 calls were pouring in made by people crying out for someone to come and help them. Family and friends were desperately waiting to see if their loved ones would make it out.

Many of the firefighters gave up their lives trying to help these people down the endless flights of stairs. People were miraculously being saved from the lower floors but it was those upper floors that were almost impossible to reach. Besides that, the building was about to collapse. A call was recorded from a person to 911 begging and pleading for help. She said she couldn’t breathe and there were flames everywhere. She felt like her body was on fire and she was going to die. It was heartbreaking. Meanwhile, a certain fireman had stayed in the tower and had discovered one last stairwell left. That stairwell was the one and only way people could find any way of escape. Displaying immense bravery, this fireman was wiling to try and get the victims down, very likely at the expense of his own life.

In the background of the 911 call, you can suddenly hear that fireman coming into the room where the woman was. She was desperately yelling out- HELP! HELP! HELP! I’m sure any others nearby were crying out as well, praying he would be their savior. The tower ended up crashing before this man could lead them down the stairs, but he was crowned a hero because he was willing to stay until the end.

What a senseless tragedy. Men who hated our country committed suicide so that they could destroy thousand of lives. It was a day like no other. Families would forever be changed. Children would now be growing up without a parent. Wives and husbands would now live alone. Loved ones would be lost.

My friend imagine this scene in a different way for a moment. Picture the building being engulfed in flames. There was is no way out. However, there is one firefighter left and he has found the one stairway down. As he enters the room he cries to the desperate that he was there to help. He knows about the only way down and if they follow him he is 100% sure they will come out alive. Some people jump at the chance and run into his arms for help. On the other hand, there are others who were sitting in their offices , ignoring the fact that the building is burning down around them. As the firefighter once again makes known his presence and his offer to save them, some say, “well the building hasn’t collapsed yet and maybe it never will, and so we will wait for a while and see what happens.” Still others cry out in hatred, “you say you have found the only stairwell down; you are nothing but a narrow minded, non-loving fool. I will find my own way out.” Still others are dancing around chanting, “at least we will go down with our friends and continue the party forever.” The fireman is crying not wanting any one of these people to die

Can you imagine that? People not wanting to be saved from the fire; acting as if it were a joke and ignoring, or actually hating the only one who could save them. Well, it has happened and is happening still. The Bible has warned us of an even greater horror ready to strike at any time. It also , though, gives The Good News that The God man, Jesus Christ, has shed his own blood so that a way of escape could be created. Some are flee to the feet of Jesus, admitting they need to be saved from their sin and that He is the only way of salvation. Others say that they have more time so they will just “see what happens”. Some ignore Jesus. Others laugh. Some actually hate and despise Him, calling Him a liar for saying that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. They believe that there are many ways to heaven and eternal peace. Those who follow Jesus are also disdained as well because they are considered narrow minded, ignorant and full of hate.

Today, we have two choices, and two choices only. We follow the blood stained path to the cross and cry out for help, or we don’t and are senselessly caught in the flames for all eternity. The cry has been given. The Savior has come. Jesus poured out every ounce of blood that was in Him to make a way of salvation. He also took our sins on Himself at Calvary so that the righteous judgement of the Father could be satisfied. All we need to do is just choose to follow Him and admit He is the only Way to the Father. Then, we will spend eternity in heaven with Him. (FYI, He died but He rose again three days later and ascended into heaven to sit with the Father at His right hand) He eyes are filled with tears because he does not want any to perish. His nail pierced hands are open wide, ready to accept anyone who will come. He will not, however, force His offer of salvation.

My friends, we would be fools not to take the offer of Jesus and be given life forever. Not just life, but eternal bliss in heaven with Him and forgiveness of our sins. Please, if there is anyone reading this who has not run to the arms of the Savior and admitted they needed to be forgiven, by all means do not put it off or reject the most precious gift ever to be offered. Yes, there may still be time left, but we are not guaranteed tomorrow. The tower could fall today. Will you be ready? For those of us who have accepted the free gift of salvation and fallen at the feet of Jesus, admitting our sins; may we forever be grateful. When that day comes and we see our Savior face to face, let us place our crowns at His feet and claim Him our Ultimate Hero.

C