TRAVELING through the bush in Zululand, a missionary one day came upon a Zulu father and his family of six boys, all busy trying to catch the monkeys which swarmed among the trees. They had evidently been successful, for one of the little boys had a squealing monkey tucked under his arm, while the father held two more struggling captives. Approaching the party, the missionary asked the African if he would sell him one of the monkeys, and after some bargaining, a price was agreed upon, and the monkey handed over. The Zulu’s little sons had by this time gathered round their father, and seemed greatly interested in the white man. Pointing to one of them, the missionary asked the father, “How much will you take for your little boy?”
The big Zulu drew the little fellow closely to his side, and placing his hand affectionately on the curly head, replied, “I would not sell him for all the money in the world.”
The missionary, glad of an opportunity to speak of Jesus, began to tell the heathen family of God the Father, who had but one Son, whom He loved with a great love; yet He gave Him up in order that He might come down to this sin-blighted earth, and offer Himself up a sacrifice for the sins of His enemies.
The Zulu’s love for his little boy was great indeed, but who can fathom the depth of God’s love, which caused Him to part with His only Son in order that we, who were sinners, might be saved and cleansed from our sins.
Dear children, have you thanked God for His great love gift?
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.
ML-12/15/1963