At an auction about a year ago in Washington, D.C., the police auctioned off about one hundred unclaimed bicycles.
“One dollar,” said an eleven-year-old boy as the bidding opened on the first bike.
The bidding, however, went much higher.
“One dollar,” the boy repeated hopefully each time another bike came up.
The auctioneer, Mr. Weschler, who had been auctioning for forty-three years, noticed that the boy’s hopes seemed to soar highest whenever a racer was up. There was one more racer. The bidding mounted to $8.
“Sold to that boy over there for $9,” said Mr. Weschler. He took $8 from his pocket, and asked the boy for his dollar.
The boy turned it over — in nickels, dimes and quarters — took his bike, and started to leave. But he went only a few feet, and stopped. Carefully parking his new possession, he went back, gratefully threw his arms around Mr. Weschler’s neck and cried.
In Luke 17 we read the story of how the Lord Jesus healed ten lepers but only one of them returned to fall at His feet and thank Him. The Lord said, “Were there not ten cleansed, but where are the nine?”
Now God gave His only begotten Son in love to be the Saviour of sinners; and the Lord Jesus gave Himself upon the cross to die to put away sin, and to give eternal life to all who will believe. But we wonder how many who read this little paper have ever turned to Him and thanked Him for dying for them on Calvary. Is the reader like one of those nine lepers who went on their way forgetful of the One who had compassion on them? or is he like the little fellow of our story who returned with a thankful heart and expressed his gratitude with tears? Surely the blessed Saviour, and the Father who sent Him, are worthy of all homage and of praise!
ML 08/02/1959