“…For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
Long before the sinking of the Titanic on 15 April 1912, two novels eerily predicted the tragedy down to its details – a collision with an iceberg, a shortage of lifeboats – as if to warn us that history has an uncanny way of manifesting itself again and again.
German philosopher Hegel pointed out that “… history has shown us that we don’t learn from history.” I’m afraid similar things can be said about the people in Jesus’ day.
In Luke 19, we find ourselves with a familiar scene in the gospels. Zaccheus, a chief tax-collector, had a profound encounter with Jesus that utterly transformed him. Yet, the people present scorned at his profession of faith – deeming him a sinner unworthy of salvation – and labelled Jesus as a “friend of sinners”. This was an attitude that eerily matched the sad events that happened on the night of the Titanic tragedy.
The Titanic had a total of 20 lifeboats, which meant that, though insufficient, these lifeboats could still muster a carrying weight of 1,178 passengers. Unfortunately, approximately 710 people survived the ordeal, and only six were pulled out of the icy-cold waters! Many boats rowed away less than half-filled, choosing comfort over rescue. They were reluctant to rescue the drifters because they felt like their own safety would be compromised, in what they deemed as ‘hopeless’ rescue attempts.
But on that same night, Scottish Pastor John Harper went into the frigid waters after loading his only daughter on a lifeboat. He was seen swimming frantically to people in the water, leading them to saving faith in Jesus Christ. At one stage, he even took off his lifejacket and gave it to a young man, saying, “Here, you need this more than I do.” Four years later, that same young man shared in a survivors’ meeting, and recounted how Rev John Harper led him to Christ before, himself, perishing in the waters due to the intense cold & tiredness.
My friends, fact or fiction, history has an uncanny way of manifesting itself again and again. We can choose to repeat the tragic history of the Titanic lifeboats by carrying the same Pharisaic attitudes today, or we can make a fresh commitment to be a church that follows in the example of Pastor John Harper – concentrating all our efforts, resources, and all our prayers towards the winning of souls to the saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lighthouse family, may we be seen, not just as two big buildings – one in Tampines and another in Woodlands – but as two big lifeboats. A Church family with true courage and valiant resolve to pull others from the waters, and to point them to Jesus – the only true hope when our ships go down.
Daily Meditations
Monday – The Mission of Jesus
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
Begin the week reminded that Jesus’ mission is the Church’s mission. Just as He sought Zaccheus, He calls us to see the “lost” not as hopeless but as people loved by God.
Tuesday – Rescued to Rescue
“But you are a chosen people… that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
We were once in the icy waters of sin, but God lifted us into His lifeboat. Let us now call others in, not keeping salvation to ourselves.
Wednesday – Courage in the Waters
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Like Pastor Harper, courage may require sacrifice. But our confidence is not in ourselves, it is in the God who never abandons His people.
Thursday – No One Beyond Hope
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
When the world deems someone “too far gone,” God’s patience reminds us that no one is beyond His saving reach.
Friday – Casting the Lifeline
“Come, follow me… and I will send you out to fish for people.” – Matthew 4:19
Every Christian is called to throw out the lifeline of the gospel. Our words and actions can be the very rope that pulls someone closer to Christ.
Saturday – The Cost of Comfort
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 (ESV)
The Titanic lifeboats rowed away half-filled because comfort was chosen over sacrifice. Christ calls us to abandon self-preservation for the sake of His kingdom.
Sunday – The Joy of Rescue
“In the same way… there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10
Heaven celebrates every soul rescued. May our churches not be museums of comfort but lifeboats of joy, rejoicing as more are saved.
All scriptures are quoted from the New International Version (NIV).
By Pastor Cliff Ethan Sim
