A YOUNG girl lay dying in the south of England. On the wall at the foot of the bed was the text, “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Often whilst alone had she repeated this text over to herself, but never before had it so struck her. Again her eyes sought the words, and she read, “He was wounded for our transgressions.” Well did she ponder these words, as again she repeated them. Her eyes were opened to see herself a lost sinner, and in need of a Saviour, and she accepted Him just as she was. “Yes,” she said, “He was wounded for my transgressions, He bore the judgment of God against sin. My sins were borne by Jesus.”
Calling her mother upstairs, she asked her to read the text at the foot of the bed. The mother began to read, “He was wounded for our transgressions―” “Stop! mother,” said the dying girl; “I used to read it like that once―but now it is all so different―and I will read it my way. ‘He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities; the chastisement of my peace was upon Him, and with His stripes I am healed.’ Jesus died for me, mother.” Shortly after this dear girl departed peacefully to be with Jesus.
Possibly the reader is anxious about his soul, and says, How I wish I could be saved, as that girl was. What is it that hinders you accepting Christ? You may be saved as you read these lines. Jesus is saying; “Come unto me.” He bore the judgment of God against sin. God can never look over sin. You may perhaps think lightly of what you may call little sins, but they are all recorded against you. Sin must be judged; and if your sins are not judged in the cross of the Lord Jesus, and forever put away, you will have to be judged for them, for God does not overlook sin.
Let me earnestly entreat you now to come to Jesus. He will not turn you away. Come just as you are. The prodigal in Luke 15, “when he came to himself,” said, “I will arise and go to my father;” and “he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Let this be the day when you come to yourself, and may you receive the Father’s kiss of forgiveness. Do not linger―there is no time to spare; the Lord Jesus is coming―soon the day of grace will be closed. Come now, just as you are. You may come as you read these lines.
I was preaching the Gospel, not long since, and many young people were present. One young girl was seen to be weeping bitterly during the meeting. At the close I went down to have a word with those who were anxious, about their souls. This dear girl said, “It was whilst you were speaking I knew what a sinner I was―and for a long time I have been anxious about my soul. Now I know that Jesus is my Saviour, and I can say”―and the tears again came into her eyes as she said it― “ ‘with his stripes I am healed.’”
May you, dear reader, be able to say the same, and to go on your way singing.
“Love moved Him to die―
On this I rely.
My Saviour hath loved me
(I cannot tell why),
But this I can tell,
He loved me so well
As to lay down His life―
To redeem me from hell.”
F. M.