Tyler Moon, a 25-year-old runner in Minnesota, found a unique way to share his faith.  When he entered a 10-mile race earlier this month, his own name was originally on the bib that he was to wear in the race for identification.  In order to honor Christ and share the Good News, he changed the wording on his bib to “Jesus Saves.”  He says he “changed it to 'Jesus Saves,' so that another runner or someone in the audience would see it ... that Jesus saves us for eternity.”

Little did Tyler know just how true that message would be for him.

On October 6, Tyler began the 10-mile race wearing an orange Wheaties t-shirt with his bib pinned to his shorts.  Suddenly, in the eighth mile, he collapsed due to cardiac arrest.

For Tyler, “Jesus Saves” is true in more ways than one.  He says his bib had a message that became “very fitting” after the events of that race day.  “When I originally put ‘Jesus Saves,’ I was hoping that it would help people at the race and in Minneapolis,” he said. "I had no idea how far it would go and how it would impact the world.”

“Jesus Saves.”  It’s true!  Jesus “Jesse” Bueno helped save Tyler’s life in a time of crisis.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can save ALL of our lives for an eternity.

“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a).  That’s bad news for each of us because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  But the Good News (the Gospel) is that “the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).  Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross for our sins so that we might have forgiveness and receive the gift of eternal life (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus Saves those who 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 are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk (or “run,” Hebrews 12:1-3) in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Here’s another application from Tyler’s experiences: God uses human messengers to share the Good News that Jesus Saves.  (Tyler has a unique perspective on that truth, thanks to Jesus “Jesse” Bueno!)  The Scriptures reveal that God has chosen to proclaim His Gospel that Jesus Christ saves for eternity through human messengers (see Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:16).  See Acts 8:26-40 for an example.

Won’t YOU embrace the Good News that Jesus Saves through your trusting obedience?  Then, won’t YOU share the Good News with others?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Minnesota runner with ‘Jesus Saves’ bib saved by nurse named Jesus after collapsing during race” by Caleb Parke of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org