A Track and Field Long Jump event is not likely to be held at the Grand Canyon anytime soon. Not even the world record holder for the longest jump would consider training for such an event. Mike Powell still holds the record for the longest jump recorded in history.
It happened in Tokyo in 1991. The world record for the longest jump was broken! America’s super athletes, Carl Lewis and Mike Powell, were the stars. In the first round of the Long Jump competition, Carl Lewis took the lead, jumping 8.68 m. Mike Powell came out on top in the 2nd round at 8.54 m. Aided by the wind, Carl Lewis jumped back in the 3rd round for an 8.83 m jump. But the next two rounds were led by Powell, 8.92 m, and then the incredible monster jump of 8.95 m. That was on August 30, 1991. Mike Powell still holds the world record for the longest human jump ever recorded.
But let’s suppose another competition were held at the world-famous Grand Canyon. The site is located at Lipan Point, where there is a horizontal span up to 16 km (10 miles) and a vertical drop of approximately 1,460 m, or approximately one mile, depending on the exact location.
Suppose Powell and Lewis were still young and eager to participate. Together they stand at the breathtaking precipice. Their stomachs churn as they peer down one mile into the Canyon. Quite a drop. They look across, and 9 to 16 km seems to be quite a distance. But they are the very best long jumpers in the world. If anyone can do it, they can!
Carl Lewis pumped for the jump, runs and with incredible power, pushes his legs off the side of the Canyon, catapulting through the air with the wind on his back. 8.83 m! That was his best.
The world record holder, Mike Powell, stands still, closes his eyes, and envisions his body flying through the air across the Canyon to the other side. With intensity and focus, Powell takes his turn. Like a bullet, he goes into the air. The distance? 8.95 m. His very best! Yes, he made it further than Lewis, but they both fell short of the distance of 16 km.
If this were a true story, both runners would have perished in the one-mile drop. They were the very best jumpers. The top performers in the long jump category. One made it a little further than the other, but neither of them had what it took to span the distance.
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A Spiritual Canyon
There is a broader and deeper canyon between sinners and God. There is a ‘great divide’ between humans and their Creator. The canyon was caused by the cataclysmic fall of man in the Garden of Eden when Adam rebelled against God. You can read the account of the creature’s first act of disobedience against the Creator in Genesis Chapter 3 of the Bible. Also, Romans 5:12. Neither you nor I will ever be held responsible for the first sin committed in the human family, but individually, we are responsible for continuing to live in sin, estranged from God.
There are some very sincere religious people – the best that religion can produce. There are some incredibly kind and generous people who consistently win top marks for their acts of kindness. But the best-equipped and most outstanding ‘good’ person on earth is not able to make it across the chasm – the distance is too great. Sin has caused a divide that none of us can bridge. No matter how many good things we do, or how sincere we are or how religious our life may be – the Bible says even the best falls short.
For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” Romans 3:23.
Because of our inner sin, no one has what it takes to get across. We will perish if we try to get across ourselves. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only way across.
Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
He died for our sins. He dealt with the barrier of our sins.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all…” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
Look at the simple illustration below and rest on the profound truth of the well-known Bible verse:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
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