John Harper was a pastor of a small church in Glasgow, Scotland. His wife had died in childbirth a few years before. He decided to take his young daughter and himself to America to start over. They booked their voyage on the Titanic. That’s the bad news; the good news was that John was a hero, a hero for Christ.
On April 14th, 1912, over one hundred years ago, the Titanic was sunk by an iceberg. Of the 2,223 passengers on board, 1,517 perished. John became a hero that night. As the ship was struggling from its mortal wound, John handed his daughter to an officer of the ship and told him to return her to Scotland, to his family. John then went to the main deck and started preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Not many took John up. Everyone was scrambling around trying to figure out how to get off the ship and save themselves. John was at peace; he knew the good news. He knew the end, and he wanted to save as many as he could. John even gave up his life jacket to another man that night. He wouldn’t need it.
Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need! He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He restores my failing health. He helps me do what honors him the most. Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
Psalm 23:1–4
The Titanic began slipping into the ocean, and folks were either in the water or in a lifeboat. John was in the water. The reports from those who survived tell of John preaching Jesus Christ while in the water, while trying to hang onto anything he could find. One man drifted by as John was witnessing, but he didn’t say a word. A few moments later, the stranger shouted out that he wanted to believe in Jesus Christ, and John helped him with the Believer’s Prayer. That stranger happened to survive that night. He was saved in more ways than one.
John Harper died 100 years ago, but he lives. He was a hero. Now, that is Good News from the Titanic.
So today, Lord, we recite the Believer’s Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Help us Lord to share with others Your wonderful Good News. Amen.
Have a Historic Day.
