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Themes The Cost of Salvation SAVED BY THE PRESIDENT The fog clouded the view of the men standing on the boat. They were trying to avoid the gunfire of the enemy. It was August 2, 1943. The men were fighting in World War II. They were tired and scared. The Navy called this boat PT-109. Her Captain was John Fitzgerald Kennedy. That's right, you remember the president who was shot and killed during a parade? This was before he became the president. He was the commander in the Navy of PT-109. He was responsible for all the men on the ship. JFK took his responsibilities seriously. Suddenly, without warning, the men heard a loud engine roaring toward them. Before they could move, a Japanese destroyer boat loomed out of the mist and rammed into them at full speed. PT-109 was a small boat compared to the destroyer. The Japanese boat sliced PT 109 in two. Half the ship sank immediately. The men scrambled for the half that was still floating. Unfortunately, it did not stay up for long. The men jumped in the water and started swimming for shore. They could see a tiny island nearby. Some men were hurt and one man could not swim. JFK tied a strap to the man's lifejacket and dragged him to shore. He swam as hard as he could with the strap in his teeth for three miles. Five hours later, they stumbled up on the beach. Nine days went by during which JFK and his men scouted for help along the shores of nearby islands. They would float on the current from island to island, searching for another PT boat to help them. JFK had thought quickly and carved an SOS (HELP!) message on a coconut. Finally, a boat from a friendly country picked them up and brought them to safety. After the men were rescued, the US government awarded JFK with a medal for bravery. He had risked his life to save the lives of the men were under his command. Does this remind you of what the Lord Jesus did for his disciples? He took care of them even if it meant he had to be a slave and wash their feet. More than that, He wants to care of you too. He wants to save you from the punishment of your sins even if it meant he had to suffer and die for sins on the cross. He loves you today and offers you the gift of His grace, salvation through His death and resurrection. Will you answer His call, and be saved today? He is the "Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).
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Jim Batterton
