Sacrifice and Salvation: The Father, Son and Son’s Friend Go Fishing

When we were stationed near a little fishing village in Florida, Pastor Phil shared a story I’ll never forget. It helped me understand the Father’s heart, the sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross, and our gift of salvation. It helped me understand John 3:16. A verse I wore on bracelets and one of the first I memorized. But a verse that somehow felt taken for granted.

“For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

I’ll never forget the story. And I’ll try to do it justice in my retelling from my memory:

Fishing and the Storm:

A father took his son and his son’s friend out to fishing. It was a cloudy day but seemed calm enough.

The dad and his son had a close relationship. The father loved his son dearly, and they both loved Jesus and had good time going fishing. They were happy to have a friend join them that day.

They pushed off the marina and into the gulf waters. After some time, the weather turned. The waves knocked the boat and crashed over them. Eventually, the storm flipped the boat upside down, sending all three out into the deep waters. The father made his way back to the boat. He was able to locate both boys, who were far apart tossed in the storm waters. He got his hands on a rope, but there was only one.

There wasn’t much time, but the father had eternity on his mind. He knew his son loved Jesus and he knew his son’s friend didn’t yet know Jesus.

In a split second, he called out to his son, “I love you forever, son!” And then he turned toward his son’s friend and tossed the rope.

He saved the boy that day but lost his only son.

Salvation and Sacrifice

I can’t retell this story without weeping. Don’t rush off and push that story down. Sit with it a moment before you read on or before you move on in your day. Just close your eyes and be still and let yourself feel the truth of that story.

I can’t imagine the anguish in the heavens that day the veil was torn and the earth quaked and God the Father held back legions of angels who could save his son so that his son could save millions of His friends:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus willingly gave up his life to save yours and mine, to pay the price of our sins:

“No greater love is this: than he who lays his life down for his friend.” John 15:13

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

John 3:16-18

Hungry for more?

Want to hear more about God’s unfathomable love for you? Here are more posts on Jesus’ sacrifice and the costly gift of our salvation:

• Our relationship with Christ instead of a religious practice.
• How we can’t earn salvation; it’s a gift!
• How God isn’t angry with you; He loves you dearly.
• The thieves on the cross and a prayer to ask Jesus into your life.