Albert was born of Jewish parents, who at a tender age taught me the rituals and traditions of Judaism. When he was 13 years old, he was confirmed, which is called in Hebrew, “Bar Mitzvah.” That was a great celebration, for he became a member of the Jewish synagogue, and was responsible to God for his own sin.
On the Day of Atonement, Albert went to the synagogue, fasted and prayed for 24. hours for forgiveness of his sins. Although he prayed so earnestly, and performed all the ceremonies, he was greatly disappointed, because he was still conscious of his sins. Still he did not know how to get rid of them. Every year he did this, and each year he had the same feeling. Often he asked himself, “How can I get the assurance that my sins are forgiven?”
One day in 1955, Albert’s brother came to him, and told him that he had accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour. Albert was shocked, and told him, “How can you accept Jesus, for you know what we think of Him. He was a man like other men and you know that we don’t worship a man. We Jews believe on God, and the Gentiles on Jesus. You should know it, and don’t bother me with such a religion.”
Albert’s brother did not fight with him, but he sought at every opportunity he could find to explain the Scriptures to him. Albert was surprised when his brother read various scriptures to him, and became interested in the Word of God, which he had never heard before. He asked his brother to show him from the Old Testament why Jesus is the Messiah. He was very kind and patient, explaining one scripture after another. When he read Isaiah 53, and told Albert that Jesus is the One of whom the prophet spoke, he was so perplexed that he said to him, “If this be the truth, our rabbis would have told us.”
His brother answered, “The rabbis might not know it. You want the assurance that your sins are forgiven. Jesus is the only One who will give it to you, but you must accept Him. You don’t need to go to the rabbi, but go to Jesus and ask Him. He died for your sins and will wash them away by His blood, and will give you peace.”
Albert became restless and started to pray and read the Scriptures. One day his brother invited him to a meeting in a mission, and the preacher explained the way of salvation, quoting Lev. 17:1111For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11), “It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” In his sermon, he made it plain that if we want to get rid of our sins, we must accept the blood that Jesus shed while making the atonement for our sins on the cross.
At the close of the meeting, Albert accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and Messiah, and he says, “What joy came into my heart. How much I appreciated the words spoken to me, “In Thy presence is fullness of joy” which I never had heard before. Now I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. The old things have passed away and everything has become new in me, Now I know it is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin.”
And you, too, dear reader, may have all your sins washed away, but remember, it is only through the blood of the Christ. No deeds of merit will fit you for heaven, but if you come to Him now, as this young Jew did, you will find peace and forgiveness.
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1: 7.
“The dying thief rejoiced to see
That Saviour in his day;
And by that blood, though vile as he,
Our sins are washed away.”
ML 04/23/1961