“Homework must be completed!”
This command was given by the teacher in the primary school in Dickson Village, Saint Vincent, and the penalty was set -four lashes with the strap if it wasn’t finished by the following day.
The next morning, a small girl by the name of Maureen showed up for class without her homework completed. The teacher was sorry, as Maureen was a sickly girl and usually a good student. But what could he do? He felt that he could not go back on his word in front of the other students. He knew he must carry through with the punishment.
He took the strap out and called Maureen to the front of the room. She came and stood before him, trembling as she waited and trying to be brave. With tears already in her eyes, she held out her hand. . . .
Smack! One of the four lashes was delivered.
Smack! Two of the four lashes were delivered.
Before the third lash, Maureen asked in a shaky voice if it were possible that the other two lashes could wait until lunchtime, as she felt too weak to bear them at that time. The teacher agreed that this was fair. He could see that she could stand no more right then.
The morning proceeded as usual, but both teacher and student knew that the unavoidable two lashes were still ahead.
However, at the noon hour Maureen and her friend Caroline, a rather large girl for her age, came up to the desk where the teacher was marking papers. In a shaky voice but with a smile on her face, Maureen explained that her best friend had said she would take the other two lashes for her. The teacher was rather surprised, but knowing Maureen’s weakness and that both girls truly meant it, he finally agreed to the plan. Caroline held out her hand. . . .
Smack! Three of the four lashes were delivered.
Smack! Four of the four lashes were delivered.
How grateful Maureen was. She thanked her friend again and again as they left the classroom hand in hand.
This story was told by the teacher himself who is a Christian and loves the Lord Jesus. It reminds us of that One who took the punishment for sin on the cross so that He could be our Saviour and Friend.
Maureen had to take half the lashes and her friend the other half. But for boys and girls, and grown-ups too, who receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they will never have to bear the penalty for their sins.
If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your very own Saviour, come now as a sinner, accept His offer of salvation, and you will never have to be punished in hell for your sins.
ML-01/14/2007