EXAMPLE" or "SUBSTITUTE”

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 3
At the close of a gospel service in Germantown, Pa., some time ago, a stranger said to the evangelist: "I don't like your preaching. I do not care for the cross. I think that instead of preaching the death of Christ on the cross, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example.”
“Would you then be willing to follow Him if I preached Christ, the example"? asked the preacher.
“I would," said the stranger. "I will follow in His steps!”
“Then," said the preacher, "let us take the first step. `Who did no sin.' Can you take this step?”
The stranger looked confused. "No," he said. "I do sin and I acknowledge it.”
“Well, then," said the evangelist, "your first need is not as an example, but as a Savior.”
This is every man's need. "For all have sinned, and came short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).