I WAS but a child of ten years old. A serious illness had befallen me, and I was obliged, after getting well again, to go for a holiday to the seaside.
Having been away for three weeks, the time came when I should go home to those I loved.
About two days before starting for home I walked along the streets, eagerly gazing into one window and then into another, wondering what present I could buy that would please my mother best. My mother loved me so much, so I was anxious to take something home to her that I thought would please her.
Looking for a long while, I gradually gained courage enough to walk into a shop, where many presents were displayed; and after much searching and thinking, I decided that I would take one which the lady showed me.
It was a little wooden cross with a figure upon it, which was meant to represent the Lord Jesus Christ when He was crucified.
I knew my parents were Christians, and that they loved the Lord Jesus. Many times had I heard them speak of Jesus being a Saviour; that when He was crucified, it was that we might know how much God loved us; and that when His precious blood was shed, it was that our sins might be washed away forever. Knowing this, I thought that they would very much like to have a figure of the Saviour on the cross; so I bought it, and went on my way well satisfied.
My satisfaction continued until I reached home, when I took the parcel out of my bag, and, with all the eagerness of a child’s love, gave it to my mother.
She opened it, while I watched her face. Here began my first disappointment; for instead of my mother’s face beaming with joy, it showed signs more like horror.
She thanked me for it and put it away carefully, so that she should not hurt my feelings. I never heard or saw anything more of it, until one day I noticed it broken in the rubbish box. How sorry I was when I saw it. Why my mother should do that I could not understand, and I would not ask here because, when I thought of it, I almost cried.
Years have passed since then and, as I look back, I see now why my parents thought so little of that cross.
Perhaps some of my little readers think very much of a cross like the one that I bought for my mother.
If you will look at your Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:17,17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:17) you will see that God says that, “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” You see, then, that if Christ is still dead, as that cross spoke of Him, He could not be your Saviour; neither could your sins be forgiven.
God also says, in verse 20 of the same chapter, “Now is Christ risen”; then in Acts 5:3131Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31) He says, speaking of Jesus, “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance . . . and forgiveness of sins.”
That cross spoke of Jesus only when He died, but God wants you to look to Him exalted on God’s throne, where He is today, a Saviour for all who trust in Him. He waits there today “that He may be gracious.”
“God . . . . raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
Although He did so much when He died, for it was there that He showed how much He really did love us, yet, if He had not risen from the dead, He could not be a Saviour for sinners.
When He died He gave Himself a sacrifice for sin, and His blood was shed so that we might have our sins washed away, and be made fit to live with Him forever.
He rose again to show that all the work which He did when He died was finished. God has set Him at His own right hand to show how pleased He is with Jesus, and all that He has done.
Our Saviour, then, is a living Saviour. He is soon coming to take all those who love him to be with Him forever.
Dear young reader, let me ask you, do you really love Him?
ML 08/27/1916