For many years Mr. and Mrs. Albert invited boys and girls to come to Bible classes. They lived for several years in South America and were often surprised at how much the poor children wanted to come to the classes.
“Who could that be at our gate?” asked Mrs. Albert one morning. “It’s not even daylight yet.” She looked at the clock and saw that it was only 5:45 in the morning. She dressed quickly and went to the gate and found Gladys sitting there.
“Buenas dias,” Gladys said.
“Good morning—is there something wrong?” asked Mrs. Albert.
“No,” replied Gladys, “I just came for the Bible class this morning.”
“But the Bible class isn’t until 9:00!” Mrs. Albert explained.
The Alberts were surprised that their early morning visitor wanted so much to be at the Bible classes that she came over three hours early!
Another day, Liliana and her friend walked a mile to come to the class. When she arrived, Mr. Albert noticed that she did not look well.
“Is something wrong with Liliana?” he asked.
“She has a fever,” her friend replied.
Mr. Albert knew that there was an epidemic of dengue fever in the town. When he saw how sick Liliana was he asked his wife to read the Bible with the children that morning, and he took Liliana immediately to the doctor. Her temperature was 103, but she had walked a mile to come to the Bible class! An hour later she was in a doctor’s office receiving medicine.
Again, the Alberts were surprised at how badly these poor children wanted to come to the Bible classes.
Some of the children would walk in pouring rain and cold wind with only a piece of plastic or a sugar bag over their shoulders. Others couldn’t wait until the gate was unlocked. They climbed over the sharp spikes in the gate to get into the yard early.
On still another day, Mr. Albert noticed that Myra had funny red spots on her face. When he looked more closely he said, “Why, Myra, I think you have the measles!”
“Oh, yes,” she said unconcerned.
“You should be home in bed,” Mr. Albert said.
“Oh, no!” Myra begged. “Please don’t send me away! Please let me stay!”
Are you surprised, like the Alberts were, that these poor children would want so much to be at the Bible classes? Have you ever made an effort to go where the Word of God is read? Is it important to you? You need to listen to God’s Word because it tells about God’s wonderful love in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. It tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But the Lord Jesus loves you and gave His life that you might be saved. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Just wanting to be at the Bible classes did not save these boys and girls from their sins. And just reading the Bible or going to listen to God’s Word will not save you either. You need to believe on the Lord Jesus and accept Him as your Savior. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). To be saved, it is not necessary to get up while it’s still dark, or walk in the rain, or go to Bible classes even when you are sick. You only need to let Jesus save you. He wants to save you right now! “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Several years have passed, and the Alberts have moved. They do not know where Gladys, Liliana and many of the other children are now, but they do know they will meet each one of them in heaven who accepted Christ as his or her Savior. And we hope to meet there too!
MEMORY VERSE: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13