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"The Power of the Cross"Topics: Cross, Evangelism, Salvation
The power of the cross...an incredible story.
In 1967 while I was taking a class in photography at the University of
Cincinnati, I became acquainted with a young man named Charles Murray, who was also a student at the school and training for the summer Olympics of 1968 as a high diver. Charles was very patient with me as I would speak to him for hours about Jesus Christ and how He had saved me. Charles was not raised in a home that attended any kind of church, so all that I had to
tell him was a fascination to him. He even began to ask questions about
forgiveness of sin. Finally the day came that I put a question to him. I
asked if he had realized his own need of a redeemer and if he was ready to
trust Christ as his own Savior. I saw his countenance fall and the guilt in
his face. But his reply was a strong 'no'.
In the days that followed he was quiet and often I felt that he was
avoiding me, until I got a phone call from him. He wanted to know where to
look in the New Testament for some verses that I had given him about
salvation. I gave him the references to several passages and asked if I
could meet with him. He declined my offer and thanked me for the scripture.
I could tell that he was greatly troubled, but I did not know where he was
or how to help him.
Because he was training for the Olympic Games, Charles had special
privileges at the University pool facilities. Sometime between 1030 and1100
that evening he decided to go swim and practice a few dives. It was a clear
night in October and the moon was big and bright. The University pool was
housed under a ceiling of glass panes so the moon shone brightly across the
top of the wall in the pool area. Charles climbed to the highest platform
to take his first dive. At that moment the Spirit of God began to convict
him of his sins. All the scripture he had read, all the occasions of
witnessing to him about Christ flooded his mind. He stood on the platform
backwards to make his dive, spread his arms to gather his balance, looked
up to the wall and saw his own shadow caused by the light of the moon. His
shadow was in the shape of a cross. He could bear the burden of sin no
longer. His heart broke and he sat down on the platform and asked God to
forgive him and save him. He trusted Jesus Christ twenty some feet in the air.
Suddenly, the lights in the pool area came on. The attendant had come in to
check the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform he saw an empty
pool which had been drained for repairs. He had almost plummeted to his
death, but the cross had stopped him from disaster.
Galatians 6:14
Author Unknown
...As you consider the outcome of this story, I ask, "How many of your
friends, co-workers, family are up on that diving board this very minute...
Turn on the light for them. Share the cross. Invite them to Easter service
this Sunday. Allow the Lord to work through you. Will you make yourself
available to Him?