A ship was nearing the coast of Malta, and aboard her a retired Air Force Captain was pacing the deck in the brilliant sunshine. He was quickly attracted to another passenger aboard, a man with a most extraordinary face. The officer, who was a Christian, longed for the opportunity to hear this man’s life story and to speak to him of the need of his soul and of the love of the Lord Jesus, the sinner’s Friend.
To his great joy the opportunity came a few days later, and this remarkable fellow, named Stepney, told him his story. Said he: “At twelve years of age, I was a rebellious boy and was put aboard a warship because I was unmanageable. I joined the Navy and was sent to Malta but was constantly in and out of prison. On one occasion, I got ninety days on a prison ship. At the naval base I was a champion welterweight boxer, but finally I left the Navy.
“I married a young girl and together we went on the stage. But that venture ended in failure, and we were soon homeless, wandering from town to town singing in taverns, trying to make a living. Finally we did make a comeback on the stage and after eleven years of success we became fairly wealthy. But my wife’s health was failing, and both of us began to have an intense longing to know the peace of God. We had brought laughter to thousands; yet night after night, we used to cry to God to show us the way to peace.”
It was at this particular moment that the captain found them.
“Everything in life is played out,” continued Stepney. “There is nothing lasting, nothing satisfying, everything is hopeless. Even religion is played out, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” answered the captain, “organized religion has failed; but there is just One who is not played out, and His name is the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Excited by this remark Stepney swung around and inquired: “Do you know Him?”
“Yes indeed,” replied the captain. “I have known him for twenty years.”
“Oh,” he exclaimed, “that’s who I want. For hours I have been pacing the deck saying the only prayer I know—The Lord’s Prayer—hundreds of times over. For months we have been searching for God, and even on board we have wept in our bunks. We were longing, hoping, praying. My wife has been so ill we didn’t know what to do. Now you have come, please do help us to find Him.”
For a full two hours they talked together. The captain showed Stepney the way of salvation and exclained many scriptures. Stepney knew his need, for sin had bound him fast. He knew his helplessness too, but that made things easier. The captain told him of the deep, deep love which God had toward him in spite of his sin. Then he brought bore him the death of Christ, the one and all sufficient remedy. Stepney could see his own sins pass from himself to the Saviour, as He bore them away in the darkness of that great hour. His thirsty soul drank in the life-giving words as the parched ground drinks in the refreshing rain. It was all so wonderful!
“All the work is done—finished forever,” said his friend. “All you have to do is rest on what He did for you there.”
Before they knelt in prayer, the captain read one verse, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). And then, on his knees, Stepney trusted himself in the safe keeping of the Saviour who had sought him so long, and through his tears he thanked God for His unspeakable gift.
It was not long before his wife too had heard the good news, and so she too trusted in Christ as her Saviour. The verse which especially helped her was, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:1717And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17). Together they entered into the sunshine of the love of God, into the joy of full and free forgiveness, and into the satisfaction which their hearts had desired so long.
And now may this joy, this peace be yours, dear reader, by simple faith in the Lord Jesus as your awn Saviour.
ML 12/12/1965