FOLLOWING a World War 2 mission, during which he was terribly wounded, a youthful member of Britain’s Royal Air Force was brought into the hospital to die.
Turning to the man in the next bed, he inquired solemnly, “Do you know anything about religion?”
“Sorry, chum, I don’t,” was the reply, “but there’s a lady comes here every Thursday giving out tracts. She will be able to tell you.”
“I might be dead then,” returned the airman mournfully.
“Come to think of it,” said the other, “away back when I was a little boy, our Sunday school teacher taught me this Bible verse: “Jesus said, Suffer the children to come unto Me.” (Luke 18:1616But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16)).
“Could I come in on that?” exclaimed the wounded man.
“You can try,” said the other encouragingly.
The dying man pulled the sheet up over his face and began to pray, closing with these words, “Suffer... the children... to come.”
The sheet did not come down. With these words of the Son of God on his lips he died.
Later, the chaplain having recounted the incident at an officer’s mess, one of the officers inquired of him privately, “Tell me, padre, do you think that young fellow had a chance?”
“No", replied the chaplain, “he did not have a chance; he had a certainty. He came by faith to the One who has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). The Lord Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:1717Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Luke 18:17)).
ML-05/12/1974