“WHAT book is that you have?” said a young shepherd to his friend, seeing him with a little book in his hand.
“Oh,” said Jock, “this is a New Testament.”
“What will you take for it?” inquired Steve. “I should very much like to have it. I will give you my knife for it.”
So saying, he held out the long knife which he always carried in his pocket. Neither of them had any idea of the value of the New Testament, or any thought of God, but Steve thought that he wanted the book. The bargain was made and so the New Testament and the knife changed hands.
Who do you think had the best of the bargain? Perhaps some boys would prefer the knife to the New Testament. Well, now let me tell you the rest of the story.
Steve began to read his new possession and as he studied it day after day he prized it more and more. He soon came to realize what a sinner he was, but that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners such as he. It was not long before he became a true believer, trusting in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour and rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven. Now he could thank and praise God for saving him in such a wonderful way from a life of sin.
But what about his friend? Did he too benefit from the exchange? Oh no! He who had so readily given up the Word of God for a knife got into bad company. He went from bad to worse, was convicted of a serious crime and sent to prison. What a striking contrast! The one who took the Bible in exchange for his knife found the Saviour and received eternal life, while his friend went to prison reaping the fruit of his rejection of God’s Holy Word.
Someone is choosing the Saviour today,
Someone’s inviting Him in to stay;
Someone is bidding Him go away!
What are you doing with Jesus?
Immortal life’s in the question,
And joy thro’ eternity:
Then what will you do with Jesus?
Oh, what shall the answer be?
ML-03/15/1970