When I was a youngster in a mill town of the South many years ago, one of my playmates was a small boy known by all of us as “Little Joe.” Many were the good times we had together, and Little Joe usually was along and figured prominently in most of our escapades.
I remember so well how, in the spring, “marbles for keeps” occupied us for hours. Summer brought the whole gang to the swimming hole, and Little Joe was a frequent winner in our stick-diving contests. But years have passed since those days of simple pleasures.
One morning, while reading in my hometown newspaper, I was attracted by an article with bold headlines:
“CAT BURGLAR STILL AT LARGE”
The city was being terrorized by a burglar with extremely sly and catlike abilities, including easily gaining access to upper story windows. Every effort made by the authorities to trap him had been cleverly evaded, and the situation had continued for some time.
Late one evening (true to the word of the everlasting God, “Be sure your sin will find you out”; Numbers 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)), a man was seen furtively entering a residence. The alarm, quickly sounded, was answered immediately, and a bloody fight followed.
Later that night the “cat burglar” was no longer at large. Shot and seriously wounded, the burglar was carried to a local hospital under guard.
Reading of the wounding and capture of the criminal, I was struck by the name, Joe Davis. Could he possibly be my former playmate, Little Joe? I decided to go and inquire.
At the hospital I was told that I must have permission from the police before entering the room. This was finally granted by the Chief of Police whom I knew personally, and I was allowed to enter the prisoner’s room.
There he lay-motionless-his face turned toward the wall. I approached his bed and softly called his name. He painfully turned his head and opened his eyes. I repeated his name, my name, and the name of our little town, and he recognized me! It was Joe! Little Joe-my friend!
“Joe,” I said softly, though he had closed his eyes again, “if I had seen you ten years ago I could have told you of the Savior’s love. I might have been used by God to have saved you from this terrible condition, for by His grace I have known the Lord Jesus Christ’s saving and teaching power for the last ten years.
“Joe, won’t you accept Jesus as your Savior now? He can save you from your guilt and sins just as His blood washed away the sins of the dying thief on the cross-because he believed. You are in such a critical condition and soon may pass into eternity. Won’t you trust in that blood of Calvary, shed for sinners such as you and me? Then no matter what happens, you will be ready to go to be with Him in the glory above.
I took his hand in mine and waited. With tears slipping down his cheeks, he opened his eyes for a moment and I caught a feeble murmur from his lips: “I do—I do trust Him.”
Kneeling at Joe’s side I prayed to our Savior, thanking Him for saving such sinners as Joe and me and praising Him for His wonderful grace and love.
We parted—never to meet again on earth. But, praise His name, through faith and mutual belief in the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood, Joe and I shall meet in the glory.
Do you know Christ as your Savior? You may say, “I’m no thief!” No, but you are a sinner. God has declared that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)).
There is nothing that can save a sinner but the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust Him today!