Sermon

Iwatched the BBC2 documentary Saving Lives At Sea, about the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which sets out in all weathers to rescue people in trouble. One episode transfixed me. A small, upturned boat was spotted off the coast, with reports of someone in the cold waters. After a tense rescue, two men were pulled from the sea. “We had about 10 minutes left,” said one of them, “but then I saw this small, red dot coming.” When the small, red dot got closer, it brought safety and life. It reminded me of Jesus. At the last supper, he took “the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them: Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, God’s new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). His red and bloody death, seemingly small and insignificant, is the way in which sins are forgiven and life in God’s kingdom is granted. One small boat. One humble man. Both make all the difference.