I’m reminded of a story that helps put the cross of Christ into perspective. In 1967 a young student from the University of Cincinnati was working through the issues of his faith. Charles Murray was an Olympic prospect as a very skilled high diver. He was not raised in a Christian home. But his roommate had talked to him about the forgiveness of sin and the saving power of the Cross of Christ. And now, Charles was struggling with God over those issues. Charles began reading the New Testament and continued to debate spiritual issues with his roommate. For some reason, the clarity of God’s message did not reach Charles’ heart. He became frustrated with his confusion and declined any further discussions on this topic.

Because he was training for the Olympics, Charles had special privileges at the University pool facilities. One evening he became restless and confused with his spiritual struggle and decided to spend some additional time practicing dives. Sometime between 10:30 and 11:00 PM he went to the pool. It was a clear night in October and the moon was big and bright. The University pool was housed under a glass ceiling. The moon shone brightly across the top of the wall in the pool area. Charles came through the back door, put down his gear, and immediately climbed the tall ladder leading to the highest platform. He didn’t turn on the pool lights because the glow of the moon filtered enough light into the building.

At that moment the Spirit of God began to convict Charles of his sins. All the Scripture he had read, and all the occasions others witnessed 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 on the side of the pool building. The moonlight silhouetted his body projecting the shape of a cross on the stark, white wall. When he saw the cross, Charles could bear the burden of his sin no longer. His heart broke as he sat down on the platform and asked God to forgive him and save him. He trusted Jesus Christ on a twenty-foot platform with only the walls of the building to hear his confession.

Suddenly, a door opened, and the pool lights came on. One of the maintenance workers had come to check some work he had been doing on the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform, he was shocked to see an empty pool. It had been drained for repairs. He had almost plummeted to his death, but the cross had kept him from disaster.

Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:13-15

Personal Application: When did you embrace Christ’s death for you on the cross? What difference has Christ made in your life? Share your story with someone today. Meditate on 1 Peter 2:24.

    Jim Grassi, D. Min.

We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5