“Jake, the Captain wants you!” Jack was at work in the smith’s shop making shoes for some of the horses of the army regiment. His comrade who had called him to go to the officer was clean and smart, fresh from the parade.
Jack looked at his dirty clothes and grimy hands, thinking for a moment that he could not go to the Captain as he was. But his mate cut his deliberations short with the words, “Jack, the Captain wants you NOW!”
The hammer was thrown down at once and the soldier — untidy though he was — started off to meet his officer. It so happened that the Captain was a Christian.
“I’m glad you can obey orders, Jack!” said the Captain kindly, when he saw him. “You came as you were, and that is just how you must come to Christ, Jack, just as you are.” Jack was not a little surprised at this unusual inteiew, but we believe it came home to him then that salvation was an urgent matter.
Have you had the thought that you must make yourself fit before coming to the Saviour? As a needy sinner you are fit, and you need not tarry. Food is provided for the hungry, water is prided for the thirsty, medicine is prided for the sick, and hospitals are pro vided for the diseased. The Saviour is provided for sinners. He says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:3232I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32).
Christ calls you NOW. I trust you will say to Him,
“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come.”
ML 09/08/1959