NOW what does that mean, I wonder?” some little girl may ask.
Well, if I tell you the story of a little girl who found Jesus, you will perhaps understand the meaning of substitution better.
Fannie was nine years of age, and a very bright child. One day when she was out for a walk on the sands at the seaside, she met a gentleman who looked very kind and thoughtful, so she went up to him and timidly said, “Will you please accept one of these tracts, Sir? And do you love Jesus?”
The gentleman smiled and said, “I do, dear, and would like to have one of your booklets.”
The little girl was very pleased, and as they were near a seat they sat down, for Fannie’s new friend was longing to hear her talk of Jesus. He knew about it, but he loved to hear the lambs talk of their Shepherd.
“Why do you love Jesus?” he asked. “O Sir, because He died for me and was a substitute for my sins,” she answered. “That is a very long word,” he said; “can you tell me what it means?”
“O yes, Sir! it is instead of me dying for my sins, Jesus died for them, and washed them away; so I did not have to die, because He died instead of me.”
Thus she explained in her childish way the meaning of substitution; for Christ was a Substitute for her and died in her stead, that she might be brought nigh to God, and justified from all things by His precious blood.
Even so are all who have faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary.
ML 04/14/1918