He was a bow hunter in a forest in Scotland a few hundred years ago. He was a good hunter too, and with watchful eyes he followed the trail silently through the fallen leaves, like a man who knew the ways of deer.
He heard another footstep in the forest. The hunter waited as a young boy approached him, and they shared a friendly greeting.
“I’m on my way to the castle up ahead,” said the hunter.
“I’ve heard that the king visits that castle sometimes,” replied the boy. “I’d like to see him.”
“Come with me then. You will see him today.”
“I have never seen the king before. How will I know him?”
“It won’t be a problem,” said the hunter. “He will be the only one in the room wearing a hat.”
The boy was a little doubtful about entering the castle, but there was no problem. Suddenly they found themselves in a huge room where a number of Scottish nobles were gathered. Every man rose instantly to his feet and pulled off his plaid cap.
The boy turned his puzzled eyes to the hunter. “Who is the king? It must be either you or me, because we are the only ones with our hats on!” And then suddenly the truth flashed into the boy’s mind that this hunter was the king of Scotland! Immediately he tore off his cap and kneeled before the hunter, the king of Scotland!
Wait just a minute before you stop reading this story, because you are in it too, in a very important way. Maybe you do not owe loyalty to the king of Scotland, but certainly you owe honor and obedience to the King of kings. What will you do when you suddenly recognize that the Man who died on Calvary’s cross is your Judge?
It is wonderful beyond words to recognize Jesus now and to worship Him with your whole heart and life. There will be a day when we who know Him now as Lord and Saviour will hear His call and will rise instantly to meet Him in the air.
There will be a day when His own people of Israel will see Him and ask, “What are these wounds in Your hands?” And He will answer, “Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends” (Zechariah 13:66And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. (Zechariah 13:6)).
There will be a day when those who have refused to believe on Him now will see Him on the great white throne. There will be no problem recognizing Him then as the One who died on Calvary. But no sin-cleansing blood will be there—only a sentence of eternity in hell.
Don’t let your pride or your shame come between you and the Saviour who loves you. Kneel before Him and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour now and for all eternity.
ML-02/15/2015