“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Did you ever wonder what it would be like to face imminent death, to be within minutes of meeting your maker? January 15, 2019 was the tenth anniversary of a miracle that took place on the Hudson River in New York City. The crash became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and a Safety Board official described it as “the most successful ditching in aviation history.”
US Airways Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport was cleared for takeoff at 3:24 pm, for service to Charlotte, NC, with 155 people on board. Three minutes after take-off and about 5 miles out, the plane struck a flock of Canada geese. The pilots’ view was filled with the large birds; passengers and crew heard loud bangs and saw flames from the engines. Capt. (Sully) Sullenberger realized the engines had shut down and took control, while the co-pilot worked the engine restart. The aircraft continued to climb, then went into a descent. Capt. Sully radioed a mayday call and said they were turning back to LaGuardia. Permission was granted to land at the airport, but it was soon evident they would be unable to do so. Landing in the Hudson was their only option. Flight attendants described the landing as a “hard landing” with no bounce. Capt. Sulley ordered an evacuation and the crew began the process of directing passengers into inflatable rafts through four overwing exits.
What were the passengers’ reactions as they flew 900 feet above the George Washington Bridge? Some were talking to God, some praying out loud, others had their lives pass before them, some screamed, babies cried. It was a near perfect landing. “Am I in heaven?” Denise Lockie thought. Many passengers who were afraid of fire, reached the exits and jumped in the 35 degree water. Hypothermia could quickly set in! In the back of the plane as water came up to their chest and rising, 85 year old Lucille told her daughter, “Just leave me!” The Sosa family with their 4 year old daughter and 9 month old son were trying to stay balanced on the wing, slippery with jet fuel. “Throw the baby,” someone yelled, but the mother refused.
Helicopter diver Michael Delaney saw 38 year old Shae struggling in the water. Her body temperature had dropped to 92 and she was going into shock. She could not get into the rescue boat. A hand reached down for her, but she slipped away. “I’m not going to make it,” she thought. Delaney saw Shae slip into the water and shouted, “Put me down there!” He plunged into the icy river, tapped her on the shoulder and said, “My name is Michael and I am going to get you out of the water.” And he did. All 155 passengers survived that plane crash!
Is Jesus tapping you on the shoulder today? He says, “My name is Jesus and I’m here to save you.” There is no sin too great that His love is greater still! He is willing and able to save you, dear friend! He never refuses anyone who comes to Him in faith. This loving Savior took on flesh and blood. He became one of us, sin apart and entered death for us. The apostle Paul could confidently say, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners,” Romans 6:23. The apostle John said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16. Jesus said to Mary and Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25. “He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him!” Praise God!
Your friend, Jean