He was a bow-and-arrow 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.
There was another footstep in the forest. The hunter waited as a young lad approached him and they shared a friendly greeting.
“I’m on my way to yonder castle,” said the hunter.
“I’ve heard that the king visits that castle sometimes,” replied the lad. “I’d like to see him.”
“Come with me then. You will see him today.”
“I have never seen the king before. How shall I know him?”
“No problem,” said the hunter. “He will be the only one in the room wearing a hat.”
The lad was a little doubtful about entering the castle, but there was no problem, and suddenly they found themselves in a great hall where a number of Scottish nobles were gathered. Every man rose instantly to his feet and pulled off his plaid cap.
The lad turned his puzzled eyes to the hunter. “Who is the king? It must be either you or me, for we are the only ones with our hats on!” And then suddenly the truth flashed into the lad’s mind. He tore off his cap and kneeled before the hunter, the king of Scotland!
Wait just a minute before you put down this paper, because you are in this story 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 the Judge of all?
It is wonderful beyond words to recognize Him now and to worship Him with your whole heart and life. There will be a day when we who know Him as Lord and Saviour now 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 Thine 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 know Him now will see Him on the great white throne. There will be no problem recognizing Him then as the Lamb of 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-02/18/2001