Dogs can do remarkable things! One breed in particular, the St. Bernard, is known for saving lives. In the rugged, snow-covered mountains of the Alps, St. Bernards were ideal for rescue work because they could clear paths, predict incoming avalanches, and detect injured people buried beneath the snow. Before they were replaced by more modern rescue teams, the dogs would be sent out in pairs to dig through the snow and find buried travelers. One dog would lie on top of the rescued person to provide warmth while the second dog would return to get help. Over a span of nearly 200 years, about 2,000 people—from lost children to Napoleon’s soldiers—were rescued by these heroic dogs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t uncommon for a St. Bernard to lose its own life while saving someone in need. Perhaps the most famous St. Bernard was Barry. During the course of his career, this faithful rescuer is believed to have saved more than 40 people from an icy death. Time after time, Barry willingly risked his life to help someone in need. His deeds stand as a monument to the selfless nature of these St. Bernards. Barry’s story of selfless devotion is a reminder of the One who selflessly gave His life for all of mankind. You and I may never find ourselves lost in the Alps or caught up in an avalanche, but we all face an even greater danger. We are lost in our sin and separated from God. The Bible tells us: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Our disobedience puts us in danger of being swept away from His presence forever, enduring judgment for our sins in a place called Hell (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). How can we be rescued? God loves us, and does not want us to be separated from Him. “The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But because He is holy, God has to deal with the problem of sin before we can be brought back into a relationship with Him. So He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. Because Jesus had no sin of His own, He could stand in our place before God, bearing the punishment our sin deserves. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He paid sin’s penalty and broke its power. “Christ died for our sins … was buried, and … rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Are you ready to be rescued? Jesus said His purpose was “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He has done all of the work to rescue you from sin, and is offering you forgiveness and eternal life. Will you receive this incredible gift by turning to God and putting your trust in Jesus Christ today? “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
