IN the window of a shop, some time ago, I saw the photograph of a young man in a large frame. Underneath the picture, in bold letters, it was announced that the young man, who answered to the above photo, would hear of something to his advantage in Brisbane. Evidently the youth had been lost sight of―nobody knew where he was. Perhaps he was wandering about from town to town, homeless, forlorn, and desolate. Yonder in Brisbane a fortune, it may be, awaits him. The young fellow might have thought, like many a one who reads this paper, that no one cared for him. Ah! my friend, let me tell you, ere I go further, that the blessed God cares for you, yea, He loves you. If I tell you that eternal blessing waits to be made yours, perhaps you can scarce believe it. But so it is, God is longing to bless YOU, a helpless, hopeless sinner.
Many young men no doubt saw the photograph in the window, and also read the announcement beneath it, but, as they did not answer to the description, the good news was nothing to them.
Let us suppose that the man to whom it applies passes down the street; he has left his wretched lodgings in search of a bit of work. Sauntering along, he sees a small crowd of people collected round a shop-window. Making his way to the front, what does he see? His own photograph straight before him. As he gazes at it, his misery is only intensified. It brings to mind his present condition, and he is almost ready to sink down on the footpath, as he thinks on his state, when his eye catches sight of the announcement. See the expression of his countenance change from one of despair to joy. His heart leaps within him, and he loses not a moment in presenting himself, and claiming the promised blessing. If it had been the photograph of someone else, would the promise have cheered his drooping spirit? No. He would have said, “Yes; that is good news for someone; but not for me.” What entitled him to the blessing was that he answered to the photograph.
The blessed God has hung out a photograph with an announcement of blessing underneath it, and if you answer to the description, the blessing is for you. Open your Bible, and turn to 1 Timothy 1:15: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” “Oh,” you say, “that is just what I have been looking for these years. Salvation! Oh, how I wish it was for me!”
Look at the photo, dear reader, and in God’s presence compare yourself with it. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS.” That is the description of those whom God wants to bless. Do you know that you are a SINNER? I don’t mean, Do you admit that you are one among a great number? but have you found yourself a poor, vile, hopeless sinner in God’s presence? Remember, each sin is noted by Him. Every foolish thought, idle word, and wrong action is recorded with divine accuracy in heaven. God is holy, and cannot pass over sin. The dark, heavy load of your sins, my unsaved friend, is sufficient to sink you down to hell. How will you do? Listen! “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Blessed announcement The Son of God, in love to you and me, died at Calvary. He took the guilty sinner’s place, and met every claim of divine righteousness. His precious blood was shed to cleanse away our sins; and God can now forgive and bless the sinner, and yet be righteous. Redemption is accomplished, peace made, salvation proclaimed. The One who died is now alive again, and is seated at this moment at God’s right hand. To Jesus I point you; He longs to pick you up in grace, and save you.
Perhaps someone will say, “Oh, yes, I know that I am a sinner, and a black one too; my great fear is that the Lord Jesus would not receive me― I am too bad.” Ah! my friend, listen to His loving words, and banish your fears, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” The man who read the notice in the window did not stand and say, “But I am not fit to be seen, my clothes are all in rags.” No; he answered to the description, and that was enough. Come, sinner, to Jesus! Come, in all your rags and your sins, and you will prove His willingness and power to save. The Apostle Paul tells us of how he once presented himself as answering to the photograph, and was eternally blessed, ― “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF.” Jesus invites you. No matter how many your sins, His precious blood can wash them away. With loving, outstretched arms He waits to receive and pardon you. Turn to Him, and trust Him now. W. L.