October 14th, 1987. An 18-month-old baby girl accompanied by her mother was playing in the backyard. The phone rang. Naturally, her mother went inside the house to answer. Back then it was the old rotary phones, remember? And that slight minute is all it took for the world to soon be aware of Jessica McClure. Also known as “baby Jessica.”

Soon, first responders. And an ever-growing audience of bystanders and participants were at the scene. Hearing cries from the well. Baby Jessica was caught in there in such a way that it was most difficult to rescue her. And from the rescue, transfer her to the location of medical attention and healing (i.e. the hospital, where trained and experienced physicians would be present). And this had to be done before it was too late (i.e. loss of her life would occur). A process that took 58 hours before deliverance. A 1 1/2-year-old baby child, trapped in a deep dark well. No nourishment. No comfort. No security. And vulnerable to the hostile threats of the situation. Pending doom. And then hope came in the form of mankind’s compassion and care. Working together for the greater good. A path to safety had been opened. Perhaps by the providence of God? Perhaps.

This event became an International prayer. Everyone felt like it was their child down there needing to be rescued. Buckets of donations, flowers, cards, everything imaginable came in from individuals around the world emotionally invested in her transfer to the location of healing.

And when the moment came when baby Jessica was released from that deep dark hole? The world rejoiced. A child was lost. And had since been found.

We can relate to this story in the Bible.

The children of God, the Hebrews during the age of Egyptian bondage. These were caught up within a “well” of pagan slavery. Deep and dark bondage, 400 years in captivity. God heard their cries and chose Moses to lead them out of the well, and into the location designed for blessings. Nourishment. Security from their enemies. Family and Productivity. The land of milk and honey. They had been rescued, to be transferred into the land of promise. Redemption.

And what of our lives this day? This dying world is trapped in a deep and dark well. Is there no way out? Certainly.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Col. 1:13-14

RESCUED: DELIVER = “Lord deliver/rescue me out of my (personal) pains and bring me to you and for you.”

TRANSFERRED: CHANGE = “Remove me from the location of darkness to the location of the light. Change my location.”

REDEMPTION: “Buying back from, re-purchasing (winning back) what was previously forfeited (lost)” = a release effected by payment of ransom.

Through Jesus Christ, we have been rescued and transferred to the location of redemption. The “kingdom of His beloved Son” is “the body, the church” (vs. 18). The designated station of forgiveness and healing. Spiritual nourishment. Purpose. Life. Love. Family.

And so, how did baby Jessica come out of that deep dark hole? Mankind’s love for his neighbor. How did Israel come out of Egypt? Moses. How do we come out of the penalty of sin? (i.e. Romans 6:23). By God’s grace, through His Son the Christ (John 3:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Acts 4:12, Mark 16:16).

SM