A dear aged saint of God, lying in a hospital bed, was about to be ushered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour. Hearing a sound at her bedside, she opened her eyes and turned to see a man clothed in religious attire standing next to her.
The stranger stood silently, gently holding her hand. Still not recognizing her visitor, she whispered a question: “What do you want?”
“I’ve come to forgive your sins and administer last rites,” came the solemn answer.
A look of consternation and confusion passed over the sister’s face. Seeming to have not comprehended his answer, she asked again, “What did you say you wanted?”
The man repeated his answer. “I’ve come to forgive your sins.”
With a puzzled frown, the dying saint stared intently at the man. Then in a weak but firm voice she said, “Show me your hands.”
Now it was the cleric’s turn to be confused. “What did you say?” he asked.
“Show me your hands,” she repeated.
The dying saint took hold of his outstretched hands, staring intently at them. After a few moments of careful study, she let them go and turning to him said, “You imposter! The only Man who can forgive my sins has nail prints in His hands.”
Dear reader, have you accepted as your personal Saviour the One whose hands, feet and side were pierced that your sins might be forgiven and you might receive God’s gift of eternal life?
The prints in His blessed hands and feet show the measure of His love for you. His blessed side shows that the only thing God can accept to forgive sins—the blood of His beloved Son has been shed. Jesus alone could pay and has paid the price that you might be redeemed saved from eternal doom. Don’t delay! The Lord Jesus is coming soon to receive to Himself all those whose sins He bore on Calvary’s cross. Will you be among those He takes home to be with Him?
Adapted from a gospel meeting, Burbank, 2003