Craig Clouston

 

Harvesters

April 14

The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:37

John Harper and his six-year-old daughter, Nana, were on board the Titanic that fateful night in 1912. According to documented reports, as soon as it was apparent the ship was sinking Harper took his daughter to a lifeboat, bent down and kissed her saying, “We will see each other again someday.” With that he set out to follow God’s leading.

Harper was seen making his way up the splintering deck yelling, "Women, children and unsaved into the lifeboats!" Harper, as well as many others jumped off the decks and into the dark, ice-cold waters below as the Titanic began to split apart.

John Harper was seen swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus. Rev. Harper swam up to one young man floating on a piece of debris, and asked him between breaths, "Are you saved?" The young man replied he was not. Harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man reject the offer. Harper then took off his life jacket and threw it to the man saying, "Here then, you need this more than I do..." and swam away trying to save others. Minutes later an exhausted Harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation. That young man was later rescued.

Four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and, through tears, recounted how after John Harper led him to Christ, Harper had tried to swim back to help other people. As John Harper drowned his last words echoed above the frigid waters, "Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."

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God asked John Harper to give unsaved people one final chance at salvation. Harper obeyed because he was a harvester for Christ. We also have that privilege.

People are perishing at a rate of 155,000 a day worldwide. Among them is no shortage of lost souls.

Jesus, through today’s text, challenges us to plunge into spiritual waters among those going down without salvation, and offer them the One and only Life Preserver.

May our words, as John Harper’s, echo above the cold, dark waters, "Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."

Prayer

“Show me those who are drowning without knowing You, Lord. And give me the courage to approach them and tell them about Your sacrifice. Amen.”