Riding the Volcano — from Pad 39-A to the Sea of Tranquillity

Forty-two years ago, a lunar module landed on a barren surface beneath a black sky. It had a plaque affixed to its descent stage which would be Left behind as a monument to its historic trip. it read:
HERE MEN FROM PLANET EARTH
FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON
JULY 1969, A.D.
WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND

One can hardly miss the parallels and contrasts between this message and that of another space traveler—one who had not only traveled through the universe before, but also happened to have created it. Earthmen had traveled to a barren, colorless world, but His destination was full of color and teeming with life. His message was:
I HAVE COME AS LIGHT TO THE WORLD
SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME
WILL NOT REMAIN IN DARKNESS

You might recognize that as John 12:46. The physical world was bright with sunlight, but the spiritual world had been darkened by sin. The other Space Traveler brought a way to restore what had been lost in the Garden of Eden, and it is the most giant leap that anyone can take. Philosophers call it a leap of faith.


One of the astronauts described the launch from pad 39A as "riding a volcano." The journey began in fire and flames, but the destination was the Sea of Tranquility. In many ways, it was a Pilgrim's Progress for the 20th century. The journey demanded total commitment. Bailing out was not an option. Only mission control had the authority to abort. The astronauts had to follow the directives from mission control; their lives depended on it. The goal was a successful landing in a place of peace. The reward was glory.

Mankind is called to make that trip to the Sea of Tranquility where Jesus is our Peace.

Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch (HD) Camera E-8 from Mark Gray on Vimeo.