Some Christian friends were travelling together by the railway. One of them had bought tickets for all, keeping them in his own possession, and they entered a coach in which were other travelers.
Soon the conductor came along calling out: “Tickets, gentlemen, please.”
Each passenger presented his own, and our friend those for his company. One of these, addressing the conductor and indicating the one who had paid for all, said:
“He has paid for me; is that all right?”
“O perfectly, sir,” said the conductor, “as I have seen your ticket it is evidence that your fare has been paid, and that you have a right to your seat.”
“And have all those whom our friend has paid for, their right as well?”
“Why certainly, without doubt sir, and for the same reason,” replied the conductor, evidently surprised at such a question.
During the course of this conversation the attention of the passengers had been aroused, as the conductor replied to the questions with so much good nature, so the questioner took advantage of the opportunity to speak to him of the Lord Jesus.
“Well sir,” said he, “there is One who has paid for our friend and for us, not merely in this coach, which we shall presently leave, but in heaven, in the Paradise of God, and we know that all has been arranged for us to accept these places for eternity.”
The conductor listened attentively to what was said, and the passengers also being interested, a conversation ensued on the great truth of accomplished redemption and of salvation for our souls.
Allow me then, dear reader, to interest you also and to remind you that the opportunity is offered you, even today, of entering into relationship with the Lord Jesus, and of knowing Him as your Savior.
Will you not believe, as we have, in the work which has been accomplished for your salvation? Or do you believe that you have no need of this work and of this salvation? The Scripture says: “There is none righteous, no not one,” and our own conscience is compelled to admit that it is true. Now there must be righteousness, or rather justification, in order to be able to stand before Him.
This is why, dear reader, we are able to offer you God’s great salvation which does not demand on your part either labor or effort, but which, being on the principle of faith, assumes that you take your place before God according to the reality of what you are and that you confess your sins to Him. From these conditions you will be able to understand the invitation of the prophet:
“Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye. buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isa. 55:11Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isaiah 55:1).