Near the Summit

Had he chosen to continue climbing, Ben-Yehuda (age 24) would have been the youngest Israeli ever to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest.  Instead, he chose to help his friend....

Nadav Ben-Yehuda was maneuvering through the last 1,000 meters from Mount Everest’s Camp IV to its summit on May 19 when he saw a body sprawled motionlessly on the icy ridges.  He was shocked to find that it was his friend from the base camp, Aydin Irmak, a 46-year-old American of Turkish origin.  Even though he was only 250 meters from reaching the world’s highest peak, Ben-Yehuda said his decision to help his friend was “automatic.”

Ben-Yehuda told The Associated Press that Irmak “was in a dire state and without basic equipment.”  Irmak later revealed that on his return from the summit, he had collapsed in the extreme conditions, without an oxygen supply, a flashlight and a backpack.

Ben-Yehuda lifted Irmak over his shoulders and carried his friend alongside his Sherpa guide for about 8 hours back down to Camp IV.  Both Ben-Yehuda and Irmak suffered burns on their faces from the negative 40-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.  But, they are both alive!

Despite growing tensions between their native countries of Israel and Turkey, Ben-Yehuda and Irmak continue to think of one another as friends, even brothers.

“I believe I almost died,” said Irmak.  “Nadav saved my life.” *

This meaningful account of rescue and relationship illustrates another demonstration of the same that can have direct application in our own lives.

When WE were lost on the slopes of sin, unable to save ourselves, and destined to die, Jesus came from the Summit of all summits – heaven itself – to save us (see Phil 2:5-8). 

Even though our sins made us enemies with God, Jesus rescued us.  In order to save us, Jesus had to give His own life as payment for our sins.  “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. … But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6,8).

In order to be saved and have eternal life, we must accept Jesus’ offer of salvation.  Jesus will save those who will place their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). 

Because of our sins, we can never reach the Summit (heaven) on our own.  But because of His great love for us, Jesus left the Summit to save us so that one day, because of what He has done for us, WE may enter the eternal Summit of life and joy in heaven!

Won’t YOU accept His offer?

David A. Sargent, Minister