In a town called Lerida in Spain, there lived a banker named John Ness. This banker had a very large safe, or strong room, in which he kept his treasures. It was only now and then that he had occasion to go to it, as he had another safe for daily use. Several days might pass without anyone going to the strong room. It happened, however, one day that the cashier had to get something out of the strong room, and when he went he was astonished and frightened to find a key in the lock! Some one had evidently been there before him. He knew it was not his employer, and no one else had any business there. Greatly alarmed, he ran to tell the banker, who was not a little startled, especially as the greatest part of his property was kept there, and if stolen he would be a ruined man.
The banker and his cashier hurried together to the strong room, and upon opening the door, a shocking sight met their view. Just inside the door lay the dead body of a man whose wasted features were recognized as those of a former employee in the bank. He knew about the strong room and of its rich contents, and managed somehow to get a key. You can fancy how silently he had unlocked the great iron door, and how stealthily he must have stolen in. He had closed the door behind him while he filled his pockets and tied up the bags he meant to carry off. How he must have searched for the most valuable treasures, and listened cautiously lest anyone should be coming! Little did he think that one was approaching whom he could not escape, that Death itself was at hand, and “after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). When he had heaped together all he could carry, he had apparently turned to steal away, but ah, it was too late. The door which he had closed behind him would not open! It closed by a spring, and nothing but the key, which he had left outside, would open it again.
The door and the walls were a mass of iron, and the lock was well secured to resist the strongest tools of the housebreaker. No doubt the poor man had tried everything he could think of to try to work his way out, but all in vain. I am sure the coveted gold was all forgotten, as he now wished that someone would come and discover his wicked deed. He was alone with death in a living tomb, and the Lord alone knows if the dying man turned to Him in his last hours. The poor man died a shocking death, yet such a death would not atone for even one sin that he had ever committed. No, nothing but the death of the sinless One, the Lamb of God, could put away sin. And He has done it, “done it all, long, long ago.”
The poor burglar’s sin had found him out. Grievous as the sufferings must have been, they were as nothing when compared with what awaited him if he died in his sins. Alas, the same future awaits you, dear reader, if you have not accepted the Saviour as your own! How many hear of “the second death” and take no heed to escape while they may. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15).
The things that are in the world may look very bright and tempting, like the silver and gold in the banker’s strong room; but how shocking, for their sake, to go into “outer darkness,” where there is “wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 13:4242And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:42). “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15). And “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ML 09/13/1953