“THE RED BOY” is the name of a famous and lovely picture by the great artist, Sir Thomas Lawrence. It is so-called because of the boy’s pretty red suit. Although it was painted more than a century ago, the colors are as radiant as when they were first painted.
The handsome boy in the picture was Charles William Lambton, son of the Earl of Durham. He was just nine years old when the picture was painted. Sad to say, he did not long survive for he died at the age of 13. The brilliant artist also died about the same time.
The picture measures 541/2 by 431/2 inches and when painted cost the Lambton family something over $3,000.00. But a century later the sum of $475,000.00 was offered for it. The offer was refused.
Many a sympathetic heart has been touched by the fact that “The Red Boy” died so young. In spite of his gentle birth, his parents’ long care, his wealthy circumstances and splendid prospects in life, death claimed him at an early age. Death is no respecter of persons. It claims young and old, rich and poor alike, and we are born with the stamp of death already upon us.
When the Lord Jesus was upon earth, He was saddened by the fact that a young girl, an only daughter, about twelve years old had died. Her father was a ruler in the synagogue and he pleaded with the Lord Jesus to make his little girl better. The Lord Jesus gladly responded and went with the father to his home. On the way there they were met by a messenger who said, “Thy daughter is dead, trouble not the Master.”
The poor father was heart-broken but Jesus said to him, “Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
When they got to the house Jesus took the little girl by the hand and said, “Maid, arise!” As she stirred from her strange sleep and opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the dear face of the Saviour, the Friend of children. He then told her parents to give her something to eat — He knew what she needed. You can read the whole story yourself in Luke 8:41-5641And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. (Luke 8:41‑56).
Because the Lord Jesus died for our sins on the cross and by the power of God rose again from the dead, He has taken the sting out of death for everyone who trusts Him as their Saviour. So now when a Christian passes away we can say he or she has “fallen asleep” in Jesus. One day soon when He comes and raises from the dead those who have died in faith, they shall all hear that voice of power and awake to see His blessed face.
Seeing then that time is so uncertain, that life at best is very brief, how needful that we should trust in Jesus NOW, while we are young. He loves all boys and girls, and grown-ups too, just as He did when on earth. He is waiting to give you a loving welcome if you will come to Him now and take Him as your own personal Saviour.
Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Jesus loves me, He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
Let a little child come in.
Jesus loves me, He will stay
Close beside me all the way.
If I trust Him, should I die
He will take me home on high.
ML-10/27/1974