A dear little girl of tender years has a drunken father. One day, the father on returning home, was requested by his little girl, to play with her. Reluctantly he consented, and asked her at what they should play; after considering for a few moments, she said,
“Let us play Sunday-school.”
He was inwardly annoyed, but felt he could not refuse.
“Now, daddy,” said she, “you sit clown there, and say exactly what I tell you.’’
After he had seated, she turned to him, and taking the place of teacher, bid him say,
“Jesus.” He was further annoyed but abruptly blurted out, “Jesus!”
“No, daddy,” she said, “you must not say it like that; you must say it softly and slowly,” and she repeated that holy name reverently to her father, just to show him how he was to say it. He imitated her, and as he slowly and quietly uttered the name of “Jesus” it thrilled his whole being. His little girl then said:
“O! daddy, I feel so tired, I cannot play any longer,” and she went to lie down.
God used the power of that sweetest of all names—the name of Jesus—to awaken in that man’s heart a sense of his deep need, and a longing to know as his own Saviour, the One who bore that name.
He, knew he was a sinner, for he knew his whole course had been one of gross wickedness, and forgetfulness of God. From the lips of his wee little daughter, he learned the story of the rich and gracious provision that God had made for such a sinner as he in the Person of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He eagerly drank the truth into his heart, and received as his Saviour and Friend, the One whose preous name he had been bidden to repeat, and he proved the truth of the Word of God that
This little incident reminded me of much that we get in the Word of God about the Name of Jesus.
“Thou shalt call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:2121And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21), which means that He was the Saviour. Then how glad a dear sinner should be, when he feels his great sins, and he bears of that Name, and what it means.
O, dear children, do you know this Jesus, the Saviour of sinners? is He your Saviour? O, if not, how my heart aches for you, for you must be awfully desolate and unhappy. There can he no question as to the saving. power of His Name.
“To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His Name, whosoever believeth in Him, shall receive remission or sins.” Acts 10:4040Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; (Acts 10:40).
ML 01/24/1943