Devotionals
“Crikey!” That’s a familiar word to watchers of Animal Planet, at least those who watch Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter.” It’s his trademark interjection, spoken with Australian bravado when encountering a dangerous situation. We’ll never know if “Crikey” was his last word when he confronted the most unexpected and frightening adversary of his life: death at the barb of a stingray.
Steve Irwin’s death in 2006 was undeniably a tragedy. He left behind his work, his wife, and his children. According to experts, death by stingray attack is extremely rare. They generally attack only when they are directly threatened, and the stings, almost too quick to notice, are rarely fatal. When Irwin was swimming around over Batt Reef, the stingray’s territory, he wasn’t anticipating the attack. It is ironic that one who so treasured wildlife was done in by a creature of the wild. He was the victim of the environment he loved.
Another irony of Irwin’s life was that the word Crikey is a euphemism for “Christ.” This is not a name that one should take lightly. Nor is Christ a person one can ignore without eternal consequences.
There was no doubt that Irwin was stung to death by the stingray—there were witnesses and a videotape. Stings of other animals can be fatal to people who are allergic to them. I don’t enjoy being stung by bees, and I’ve learned to give them a wide berth when I see their nests and the scouts they send out to warn intruders. It didn’t take a lot of encounters with these cute little critters to teach me the value of keeping my distance.
The Bible talks about dangerous stings as well. First Corinthians 15:56 reminds us that “the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” We all must die, and death comes with a plethora of instruments in his work box. But the root and source of all death is sin. Death came into the world because of sin, and every human being contributes to his own death through personal sin. “Just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12, NASB). Everyone is allergic to sin, and everyone succumbs to its poison.
Irwin loved to be around animals, and to put himself into dangerous situations. He was experienced and well-trained, yet must have known and suppressed the knowledge that his antics could backfire some day. However, it appears that he was not in an evidently threatening situation, innocently swimming over the reef. There appeared to be no need to be on guard. Perhaps he was careless or overconfident.
We often pretend to be spiritual “Crocodile Hunters,” putting ourselves in dangerous situations. Satan has made sin very attractive, like cute little bees. If sin were repulsive, we wouldn’t be easily lured by it. Think what you could do with the money you save by cheating on your taxes. Notice how much younger and prettier that secretary is than your wife. Those cocktails taste so good. Lying is a lot easier to get away with than you thought. Fun is as near as a needle, condom, or bottle. What’s the harm in swimming in this type of environment? I love it; how can it hurt?
It is too easy to think we are safe in our sin. We can be careless and overconfident, not admitting that our antics could backfire some day. But, hidden inside that act is a fatal stinger. John Stainton, who witnessed Irwin’s demise, said, “The tail came up and spiked him [in the chest] and he pulled it out. And the next minute he’s gone. That was it.” The unexpected sting of death. The doctor’s report. The uncovered tryst. The exposed lie. All are death rattles. All echo the warning, “you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23, NASB).
One encounter with the effects of sin should be sufficient motivation to keep one’s distance. Once bitten, twice shy. If there is love in our hearts, we should also warn others of the effects of sin. Listen to Stainton again: “It’s a very hard thing to watch, because you’re actually witnessing somebody die . . . and it’s terrible.” We who know the cost of sin should counsel others to avoid it: “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 1:22, 23, KJV).
There was no remedy for Irwin, but there is hope for all of us. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus himself said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Good question from the one whom so many only refer to as “Crikey”: Do you believe this?
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