The year was 1952. It was February 18. It has been 64 years ago that a terrible Nor’easter storm had moved up the East coast of the United States that winter and was pounding the New England coastline with heavy snow and a massive storm at sea. The SS Pendleton, a large oil tanker was caught out in the middle of that storm on that day. The waves were so high and so violent that it split the large oil tanker in two. One half sunk to the bottom of the sea, while the other half struggled to stay afloat with over 30 sailors on board.
The Pendleton’s crew sent out mayday signals, and Officer Daniel Cluff of the Massachussetts U.S. Coast Guard ordered a daring rescue mission despite the ferocious weather. Bernie Webber and three other men set out on a small lifeboat to try and rescue the crew of the SS Pendleton before it was too late.
Perhaps you have read the book or maybe you have seen the movie about this incredible rescue that is currently in the theatres. I have not read the book, but I did see the movie recently that is entitled “The Finest Hours.” To this day the U.S. Coast Guard says that it remains one of the most spectacular rescues in its history. It truly is a miraculous story of sacrifice and rescue against seemingly impossible odds.
As I watched that story unfold on the screen, I began to realize how many correlations could be made between that rescue and our rescue from the sin and evils of this world. When Jesus gave up his life on the cross of Calvary he gave the greatest sacrifice of all in order to save us. He sacrificed everything to rescue us from our sins. The only thing we need to do to be saved is to admit that we have sinned and trust in his ability to rescue us from that sin. We then proclaim him as our Lord and Savior and have a desire to live for him. That is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s just the beginning though. Once we have been saved Jesus refuses to leave us the way that we were. Jesus Christ will change you, transform you, and shape you into the person he has created you to be.