Christ the Strong Swimmer: Salvation in the Depths of Sin

Isaiah 25:11 presents a figure of Yahweh frustrating the drowning efforts of Moab in the dungpit—a scene that Professor S. B. Driver interprets as divine power subduing iniquity. The homiletic tradition that follows offers this vivid image: God as a strong swimmer, striking out to push down sin and rescue drowning souls.

Our race is in a sinking condition. Sin—that bitterest word in our language—swamps body, mind, and soul forever when given half a chance. We require a swimmer, swift and powerful.

When Christ stepped forth to save us, He shook off the sandals of heaven and laid aside the robe of eternal royalty. His arms were free. He stepped down into the waves of our transgression, and the waters rose over His wounded feet, above the spear-stab in His side, dashing to the lacerated temple—the high-water mark of His anguish. Then, rising above the flood, "He stretched forth His hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim."

Observe the complete engagement: the arms flexed, the hands driving water back, the whole body in propulsion. Christ threw His entire nature into our deliverance. We were so far out on the sea, so deep in the waves, that nothing short of an entire God could save us. He came without lifebuoy, independent and alone—"Of the people there was none to help." All forsook Him and fled. One Person, self-reliant and unassisted, saved us.