Doctor James stood up and looked at Mr. and Mrs. Bronson. He had just finished examining their dear little Jean, and his face was very solemn.
“Only a miracle can save the child.”
Tears filled the parents’ eyes as they heard the words, for they loved their little Jean dearly. Betty their five-year-old daughter loved her little sister Jean too, and so she listened carefully, and sat down to think — “Only a miracle!”
After a moment’s pause, she turned and rushed out of the house and down to Mr. Stinsons’ grocery store. He sold nearly everything, and perhaps he had miracles for sale too—whatever they were!
“Please, I want to buy a miracle.” Betty’s voice was firm and sure as she looked up at the clerk.
But the clerk only smiled a bit and said, “I’m sorry but we don’t sell mirles here.”
Without another word she rushed out into the street, and then began to think. Jean was sick; maybe a drug store was the right place to go for a miracle. It was probably some wonderful kind of medicine. She turned the corner and entered Mr. Foster’s drug store.
“Please, I want to buy a miracle.” This time her voice wasn’t quite as sure, and she looked eagerly at the kind face behind the counter.
“A miracle, my little girl? We don’t sell miracles here. What do you want a miracle for?”
“Sir, my sister Jean is terribly sick, and the doctor says only a miracle can save her. I thought you would sell me one.” Then she burst into tears.
At that moment a man who had been talking with the druggist, turned to little Betty and said, “Will you take me home with you? I would like to see your sister. Perhaps I can help her.”
Quickly little Betty reached up to take the man’s hand and together they hurried out of the store and down the street toward home. With a great rush, Betty entered the house and led her friend into the room where Jean lay still and quiet, and the doctor was still bending down watching. At the noise of the footsteps he turned.
“Why, Doctor Webster, this is wonderful indeed! Perhaps you can do something for us. I didn’t even know you were in town.”
Then turning to the astonished parents, he said, “This is Doctor Webster, a noted specialist, and I am hoping he may see if he can possibly save your daughter. But how he knew of this case is a puzzle to me.”
Quickly the noted specialist told of overhearing the unusual request for a miracle in the drug store, and then without another word he turned and bent down to the silent, weak little suerer on the bed.
A few moments was enough. He turned again to the parents.
“There is hope, but it will mean an operation as quickly as possible.”
The rest of the story is briefly told. The operation was completed with perfect success, and the kind Doctor Webster would not take anything for his clever work either. In fact I don’t think he ever forgot the wistful, pleading voice, “I want to buy a miracle.”
Do you know, I was far worse than poor Jean! Yes, I was doomed to death and eternal judgment, because I was a sinner. Only a miracle could save me.
And I am glad to say that a miracle did save me too, so that now I am sure that I will never see judgment at all. Do you know who saw my need and came to save me? It was not a doctor. No, it was the very Son of God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved me and gave Himself for me.
“For me, oh miracle of grace,
For me the Saviour bled.”
Do you know, it would be just as foolish to expect someone else to save you, or to expect to save yourself by your good deeds, as it was foolish for dear Betty to rush into the drug store to buy a miracle. Miracles are not for sale! But right now, while you read this paper, the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sinners, is waiting and able and longing to save your soul.
Acccpt Him as your Saviour.
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Ronzans 6:23.
ML 06/17/1956