An Unlikely Rescuer

An illegal immigrant became an unlikely hero in the Arizona desert by rescuing a 9-year boy. The child and his mom were riding in a remote camping area when the mother lost control of her van, which then plunged 300 feet into a canyon north of Phoenix.

Unfortunately, the 45-year old mom was pinned in the vehicle and eventually died as a result. Meanwhile Jesus Manuel Cordova, a Mexico citizen who was sneaking into the U.S., came upon the scene and made a difficult decision. He got involved. After trying, but failing, to free the mother from the wreckage, he turned his attention on the disoriented boy. As temperatures dropped, he gave the child a jacket, built a bonfire and comforted him until local hunters came along and called authorities for help.

The shaken boy, although physically fine now, will have to deal with seeing his mother die. Sadly, that comes just two months after the death of his father. Cordova, who could have fled the scene and hidden himself, was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents who were the first to respond to the call for help.

Nothing warms the heart and restores confidence in mankind in general more than seeing someone rise to the occasion in a crisis. This is even more reassuring when the one doing so does it at the expense of his or her own personal well-being.

The Arizona rescue should serve to focus believers on sacrifical service for others. In Galatians 6 the Apostle Paul urged those in Christ to this end with the emphasis being on those in the family of God. He writes in verse 8, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Philippians 2 then provides Christians with a simple reminder of the lengths their Savior went to perform His stunning rescue of those He loved. Verse 7, speaking of Christ says, “taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Lastly, the actions by Jesus Manuel Cordova, in a country not his own, can be a reminder the status of those early Christians forever honored in Hebrews 11. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

No matter where a Christian plants his feet on planet earth, his ultimate loyalty, residence, and final destiny is elsewhere. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3:20

Bill Breckenridge