A DARING GOD

April 6, 2009

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7, 8

America has a new National Historic Park: the 77-foot Great Falls of the Passaic in Paterson, New Jersey, the second-highest waterfall on the East Coast and just fifteen miles from Manhattan.

The 35-acre area played a significant role in our country’s industrial growth. Alexander Hamilton, Paterson’s founder, saw the falls as a means to jump-start America’s economy after its break from Great Britain. Samuel Colt built his first firearms factory nearby. Textile mills sprang up to take advantage of the falls’ power, earning Paterson the nickname, “Silk City.”

One mill employee was a man named Sam Patch. Sam first worked in Pawtucket, Rhode Island mills, where he entertained his fellow laborers by jumping over the Pawtucket Falls. He continued his exploits when he moved to Paterson, where his career really “took off.” In 1827, he leapt from the Great Falls, then repeated it at least two more times. “There’s no mistake in Sam Patch!” became one of his self-proclaimed mottos.

As you might guess, despite his bravado, Sam came to a sad end. He successfully jumped over Niagara Falls twice, attracting at least 10,000 witnesses the second time, then tackled the High Falls of the Genesee River in Rochester, New York. The first leap didn’t raise enough money, so he repeated the stunt a week later, before a crowd of around 8,000. He didn’t make it. His frozen body was found the following spring. He was buried in a nearby cemetery, his grave marked with a wooden board inscribed, “Sam Patch—Such is Fame.”

In the dictionary, the verb “dare” is defined as “to be sufficiently courageous to.”  A “daredevil”—as Sam Patch most certainly was—is a “recklessly bold person.” The distinction is interesting: daring is seen as brave, daredevilry as foolishness. Yet—which gets the most attention?

Too many in this world marvel at the exploits of someone like Sam Patch, but shrug with indifference at the greater miracle and meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Both fully human and fully God (John 1:1, 14), He gathered up his courage (Luke 22:42-44) not for money or notoriety, but to express God’s great love and forgiveness, for us who don’t even merit such sacrifice.

Sam Patch, it turns out, could and did make a mistake, and it cost him his life. But we can confidently say there really is no mistake in Jesus. He carried out God’s plan (Acts 2:23) perfectly. He has neither sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) nor is He dead (Ephesians 1:20, 21). And over His empty grave, we might erect this sign:

Jesus Christ—Such is Love

2 comments

  1. Cousin Beth says:

    Hi Penny—You are right—some people look at those who perform daredevil deeds and give them great acclaim, while neglecting to recognize the greatest act of love ever done at the behest of a loving Father. As we approach Easter, let us each remember and be thankful for Him who was obedient, even to death on a cross that we might have eternal life.

  2. Elise says:

    Interesting distinction between a daredevil and a courageous soul. Hmmm…poor Sam. All that daring brought him to a tragic end, and the money he gained wouldn’t do him much good in the long run. Thank God for Jesus, His great suffering ended in eternal dividends for us.

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