Mayday Tract

New Tract: January 2025

Attractive 4 page leaflet with a clear gospel message by Iain Jamieson relating to a Mayday distress call. £5 per 100

Tract Reads:

Three Words that Changed Everything

A number of years ago, my Dad and I were sailing up a body of water called The Minch, between the Western Isles and mainland Scotland. This area is known for being dangerous and can be extremely stormy. However, on this occasion it was a beautiful summer day and the sea was very calm. We saw an amazing range of wildlife from whales and dolphins to every type of seabird; it was one of those ‘perfect’ days. Suddenly we heard three words over our radio that immediately changed the atmosphere: “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” This word, repeated three times, is recognised across the world as a distress call indicating that there is a serious danger to life. The call had come from a fishing boat from a village further north on the mainland. They were in a serious situation and the boat was taking on water. My Dad and I listened to the radio as the Coastguard organised their response. We are both believers in Jesus Christ, so we prayed for the men on board. We prayed they would be rescued from the sinking vessel, but most of all we prayed they would be ready to stand before God: ‘It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment’ (Hebrews 9:27).

A Life and Death Situation

The sea was calm that day and these men would have known their vessel inside out. But nonetheless, something went very seriously wrong. The Bible tells us that there is something very seriously wrong with each one of us: our sin. The effects of sin are all around us in the wars, conflict and injustices in this world. But if we are honest, there is also sin within each one of us: ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us’ (1 John 1:8). These fishermen quickly realised that they were in a life and death situation. That is the reality for us all because of our sin. The Bible tells us what the consequences for sin are: ‘For the wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23). Do you recognise that you are in a life and death situation?

They Needed Help

These fishermen were used to maintaining their vessel and fixing problems as they arose. But on this day they realised that their problem was far too serious to fix themselves. They needed to be rescued. Many people imagine that they can ‘fix’ the problem of their sin by being kind, generous or even religious. But the Bible makes it clear that good deeds will never be enough: ‘We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6). Like the fishermen that day, we cannot save ourselves; each of us need to be rescued.

A Saviour Came

As my Dad and I listened to the radio we were relieved to hear that a rescue helicopter was being sent out from Stornoway. The helicopter located the fishing boat and airlifted all the men on board to safety. The vessel was lost to the sea. A boat can be replaced, but the souls of men and women are eternal and precious: ‘For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ (Mark 8:36,37). God, in His love and mercy, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to rescue those who are in danger: ‘The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world’ (1 John 4:14). The Lord Jesus gave His life for us when He died on the cross. The punishment of death we each deserved to pay because of our sin was paid by Jesus Christ in our place. Three days after His death, the Lord Jesus rose again from the dead just as He had promised. He is alive today and is still rescuing men, women and children who recognise they are sinners in danger and accept His free gift of salvation. The fishermen knew they needed to be rescued and they called the Coastguard, the only people that could save them. Will you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, the only One who can save you from your sins? The Bible promises that if you do, you will be rescued. All of your sin will be forgiven and you will have a place in heaven guaranteed for eternity: ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).