13 The Ultra-Marathon
Carl and his friend Don both entered a 100-mile ultra-marathon race. There was a cash prize of $10,000 awarded to anyone who finished the race. However, the ultra-marathon proved to be very grueling and all the participants except for Carl and Don quit after only 30 miles. Don ended up dropping out of the race at the 65th mile, but Carl kept running. Carl ran over 99 miles and had the finish line within his sight! However, Carl's body broke down from the strain of all that running and Carl passed out half a mile short of the finish line. He had to be taken to the hospital and treated for severe dehydration and cramps.
After Carl was released from the hospital, he tried to come back and claim the $10,000 prize from the race. However, the sponsors refused to give it to him. Carl argued that he was only half a mile from the finish line when he collapsed and that he made it way further in the ultra-marathon than anyone, including his friend, who ran 30 miles less than Carl did. The sponsors told Carl that while it is true he did way better than anyone else in the ultra-marathon and was so close to finishing, the rules are clear on the matter. Since Carl did not cross the finish line, he did not qualify for the cash prize. The sponsors told Carl that even if he passed out two feet in front of the finish line, the sponsors still could not give him the prize. Carl ended up going home very disappointed and without any prize money.
The Bible states that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Even if we are more righteous than anyone within a 100-mile radius, we are still sinners in God's eyes. There are no brownie points with Jesus. Despite this fact, Jesus died on the cross for us so that we can qualify for the gift of salvation and eternal life if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. You don't have to run an ultra-marathon to claim this prize!
- Recommended reading: Romans 3:19-28
