It was a warm, sunny afternoon in the city of Toronto, Canada. A car came to a stop in front of a large, but not very pleasant looking, house and the driver paused for a few moments with bowed head behind the wheel. He was praying! Yes, Mr. Leslie had a very special reason for visiting this big old house—he was going to talk about Jesus and his love to the boys who were inside.
Perhaps you wonder why the boys were not out playing on such a fine day. They just were not allowed out. side, for they were in jail! Yes, that big old house was really a “detention home” for bad boys under sixteen years of age. When I say “bad boys” I mean boys who have been arrested by the, police; but let us remember that God’s Word says “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:1212They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:12).
Mr. Leslie rang the bell and was at once admitted by a stern looking, but kind-hearted man. He entered a large room and sat down at a table with a group of boys around him.
They sang a few hymns, had prayer together, and then Mr. Leslie opened his Bible and began to read. What should he tell them? Would it be right to tell them to try hard to be good so that they might earn their way to heaven? No! Not one sin shall ever enter heaven, and all our trying will never get rid of even one sin. I am so glad that Mr. Leslie knew just the very message that Jesus wanted those boys to hear. He told them 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 “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). He told them that if they would just own themselves as sinners, and accept the Lord Jesus by faith as their own Saviour, they would be cleansed from all their sins and be saved.
Jimmy seemed to be listening eagerly. Suddenly he asked a question,
“Sir, how do you know Jesus would hear me? Maybe when I meet Him, He would tell me He was too busy and didn’t hear me at all.”
What is the answer to that question? Mr. Leslie opened his Bible to John 1, verse 48, and told Jimmy the story of Nathaniel. This young man, Nathaniel, was sitting under a fig tree, one day, and suddenly Philip came and invited him to come to Jesus. Was Jesus too busy to see him? Not at all! Jesus even told Nathaniel that He had seen him under the fig tree, although Jesus was a long way off.
Yes, Jesus could see and hear young Jimmy in the detention home, and He can see and hear you all the time. He is watching you read this paper, and He wants you right now to turn and take Him as your Saviour. Will you do it? He has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus, just now,
Just now, come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus, just now.
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you, just now.
Just now, He will save you,
He will save you, just now.
ML 04/05/1953