"Will you please take this box of tomatoes to Mr. H—with my love? He is so fond of tomatoes." I was just leaving to visit the hospital when my wife gave me this loving commission.
Arriving there, I went from ward to ward, speaking to some the Word of Life and handing out gospel tracts to others. At last, glancing at my watch, I found that I had just ten minutes left in which to fulfill my loved one's commission.
I delivered the box of tomatoes to Mr. H—and with it my wife's kind message. I stood talking to him for a few minutes, seeking to strengthen him in the Lord, as he was a happy believer in Christ.
Soon I observed that the visitors at the other end of the ward had left and I was now the only one remaining. Turning round, I said to all the patients: "Would you like to sing a hymn?"
A patient at the far end of the ward promptly replied: "Yes, sir; I do like to praise God."
I handed out hymn-books and we sang:
"The Savior lives, no more to die;
He lives, our Head, enthroned on high;
He lives, triumphant o'er the grave;
He lives, eternally, to save."
As soon as we had finished, I went from bed to bed collecting the books. Taking the one this patient had been using, I said to him: "Can you say your Savior lives, no more to die?"
"I wish I could, sir. I am not a Christian."
I was thus brought face to face with a poor soul longing for God's salvation, and in about five minutes I was due to leave the ward. Looking to the Lord for wisdom and words, I said: "My sins were laid on Jesus when He suffered on the cross. Were your sins laid on Him then?"
"yes?
"Where is Jesus now?"
"In heaven."
"Are there any sins upon Him now?"
"It's my opinion He has been bearing them ever since."
"Oh, no! Hear what the Word of God says about that: 'As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us!' Psalm 103:1212As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12). When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said: 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29). The soul who believes this is entitled to say: 'God laid my sins on Jesus. I believe it! He has borne them away; they are gone! Gone forever!' "
Each fleeting moment was now precious. I asked: "Have you ever opened your heart to the Lord Jesus?"
"Yes, hundreds of times."
"Then believe Him; tell Him that now you receive Him. Trust Him fully, and let Him in! He Himself has said: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.'
Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20). You cannot have Christ in your heart and your sins too. Receive Him, believe Him, cast yourself upon Him! He will cleanse you from all sin by His own precious blood. '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).
Time was passing rapidly—he still lacked the assurance of faith. Now I asked him:
"Have you heard the word of Jesus?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe that the Father sent His Son into this world to die to save poor lost sinners?"
"Yes, I believe that."
" 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.' "
The clock was striking; time to leave! I held out my hand to the sick man upon whose face a peaceful smile was dawning. With a thankful heart for such a Savior, I bade him good-bye with the words:
"God said it;
Christ did it;
I believe it;
That settles it!"
“THOUGH
THIS MAN [JESUS]
IS PREACHED UNTO YOU
THE FORGIVENESS
OF SIN”