When the stretcher bearers reached the place where Jack Mackie lay, they hesitated, and gazed doubtfully at his unconscious figure. He was very badly wounded. The doctor, who was kneeling beside him, looked up and shook his head.
“No use,” he said, the poor fellow’s practically gone.”
But as he spoke the wounded man opened his eyes and looked straight at the kneeling figure. There seemed to be a world of entreaty in that one glance, as if the doctor’s words had reached his brain, and he was pleading for one more chance. It was enough.
“Take him up,” the doctor said to the waiting bearers; “we must see what we can do for him.”
So Jack was laid tenderly on a stretcher and carried off. After long weeks of careful nursing he came gradually back to life again. That look had saved him.
But although Jack’s life had been spared, his strength did not return for many months. It was while convalescing that he became acquainted with Mr. & Mrs. Savile, a Christian lady and gentleman who took the patients for drives.
One afternoon Jack and a chum, Fred Nixon, had been taken for a lovely ride through beautiful country, and afterward brought back to supper. After supper, Jack told the story of the look that had saved his life, and the conversation drifted to divine things, A very interesting talk ensued, Yet, sad to say, although both young fellows talked glibly about God’s goodness, neither of them had experienced that took that means life. There had been no change of heart which comes to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as the result of trusting in His finished work on the cross.
“I’ve done my best to live straight,” said Jack at last, “and I know my pal Fred has too; haven’t you, chum?”
“That’s right,” assented Fred.
“And of course, we both hope and expect it’ll take us to heaven,” continued Jack.
Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Savile could get them to realize the simplicity of the gospel and, not anxious to press the matter too closely just then, they let the conversation drift into other channels. Jack told of the way in which some of the men in the convalescent hospital spent their spare time, and was soon explaining some wool-work at which he was becoming quite expert.
“I should like to make you a present of a mat, if you will accept it, ma’am,” he said to his hostess. “You have been so good to us chaps, and it would give me great pleasure.” Mrs. Savile was delighted.
“I should value it very much, Mackie,” she said, “but you mustn’t go to any expense in the matter, I’ll buy the mat and the wools, and then you shall give me your work.”
But the young fellow smiled proudly and shook his head. “If you bought the materials, ma’am, it wouldn’t be my gift, would it?”
“Oh Mackie!” cried Mrs. Savile, “quite unknowingly you have exactly illustrated the gospel. That is just what the Lord Jesus wants us to do—accept the gift He offers and not wish to help ourselves. Don’t you see it now? It would not be His gift at all if He asked us to do a share, would it?”
For a moment Jack and his friend looked very thoughtful; then the light suddenly came to them both.
“Well, I never!” said Jack, “it is as plain as plain — isn’t it, Fred?” “That’s right,” assented Fred.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Savile, “so plain, so simple, and yet people go on from year to year trying to hide under a cloak of their own good works, and hoping it will take them to heaven, “He that believeth on the Son hath, everlasting life.’ “
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2;8, 9.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.. That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5. 7.
“WE ARE ALL AS AN UNCLEAN THING, AND ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS.” Isa. 64:6.
ML 03/19/1961