In the world of business, it sometimes happens that a failing corporation gets taken over by another that’s not much better, and both of them go under. On the other hand, a strong company may take over one with serious weaknesses and bad debts, and the weaker company benefits from its power and strength. Sometimes even nations do this, like when the crumbling former East Germany united with West Germany.
It also illustrates what happens when people link their lives to Jesus. He takes over our moral and spiritual debts and in their place gives us forgiveness and a new start, empowered by his own presence. The crucial factor is being smart enough to know that we are going under and willing enough to reach out to the only one with the spiritual resources to do something about it.