ONE DAY our school went down to the shore for our annual picnic. The children had rides on the ponies and paid ten cents apiece.
There was a class of very little folks and they all wanted a pony ride but most of them didn’t have the money to pay. However, there was one kind man there who lived near our home and knew most of the boys. He paid the keeper a sum of money and told all in the class that if they went along they would all have a free ride. How happy the children were and they thanked their friend for his kindness.
The next day our teacher told us that “the rides for nothing” because of “the man who paid” were just like the gospel. We are sinners and had nothing to pay, but the Lord Jesus came from heaven and “paid it all” when He laid down His life for us on the cross. Now because He shed His precious blood, poor and needy sinners may have a free ride to heaven.
However, we must apply for it, just like the children did for the pony ride; we must own ourselves needy with “nothing to pay.” The glad tidings of free salvation with a home in glory at the end is not for the good nor for the righteous but for sinners.
Nothing to pay — no not a whit;
Nothing to do? — no not a bit;
All that was needed to do or to pay,
Jesus has done in His own blessed way.
Nothing to pay? — no, thanks be to God,
The matter is settled, the price was
THE BLOOD,
The blood of the Victim, a ransom divine—
Believe it, dear sinner, and peace shall be thine.
ML-10/20/1974