聖弗羅托索修道院位於義大利西北部的一個海灣，只有乘船或徒步才能到達。這座古老的建築物是鑲嵌在海灣中的隱密瑰寶，但在那片海灣裡還隱藏更多寶藏。當潛水員潛入海中約15公尺深，一座人形雕像便映入眼簾。這座青銅雕像就是《深淵中的基督》，是世界上第一座水下雕像，於1954年擺放於此。這座耶穌的雕像站在深海中，向天高舉雙手。

或許你也曾經歷過苦難的深淵。正如詩人哀嘆：「我深陷在淤泥中，⋯⋯我因不住呼求而疲倦」（詩篇69篇2-3節，新譯本）。詩人面對敵人的嘲弄、家人的疏離（4、7-12節），沒有任何人能安慰他（20節），他也害怕苦難會將他「吞滅」（15節）。不論是罪惡或悲傷讓我們陷入淤泥，都會使我們落入黑暗的深淵與絕望之中。

值得慶幸的是，我們不會一直陷在深淵中。儘管當我們身處困境時，會感到寒冷、孤寂，但上帝一直與你我同在（139篇8節）。祂會救我們脫離困境，正如詩人說：「耶和華啊！我要尊崇祢，因為祢曾救拔我。」（30篇1節，新譯本）

《深淵中的基督》這座雕像提醒我們，當我們陷入淤泥、深淵的時候，我們並不孤單。耶穌的靈會與你我同在，祂高舉雙手準備托住我們，及時拯救我們。

San Fruttuoso Abbey is nestled in a cove off Italy’s northwest coast. Accessible only by boat or foot, it’s a secluded gem. But even more treasure hides in its bay. As divers venture into the sea and descend fifty feet down, the figure of a man starts coming into view. This is Christ of the Abyss, the world’s first underwater statue, placed in 1954. The bronze figure depicts Jesus in the depths, His hands raised to heaven.

The depths. Maybe you’ve experienced them. “I sink in the miry depths,” Psalm 69 says, “I am worn out calling for help” (vv. 2-3). Mocked by his foes and estranged from his family (vv. 4, 7-12), the psalmist found no comfort in others (v. 20) and feared his misery would “swallow” him up (v. 15). Whether it’s sin or sadness that takes us there, the depths are life’s moments of dark despair.

Thankfully this isn’t the last word on the depths. For while they’re cold and lonely, there is one who can be found in them (139:8). And He will rescue us from their chilly waters. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths” (30:1).

As that sculpture reminds us, when we’re sinking under the world’s weight, we’re not alone. Jesus by the Spirit is there in the depths, His hands raised high—ready to meet us and lift us out in time.