Two little boys were fishing by the river bank, when accidentally they both fell into the water. They would have drowned had it not been for the efforts of a young man who was also fishing nearby and plunged in after them. He was not a very good swimmer, but he managed to bring both the little fellows to the bank safely.
Then he found himself in difficulty. Weakened by his previous efforts, and weighted down with water-soaked clothing, he found the steep slippery bank of the river too much for him. Soon he was drawn under by the current and drowned.
When the sad news reached his father and mother, they, of course, were greatly grieved. His young brother too was in deep sorrow until he heard that the little boys, his own playmates, were safe. Then he was comforted in the loss of his brother.
Several days later the two little boys followed close behind the coffin as it was borne to the cemetery. After the funeral, the father of the brave lad whose body had just been lowered into the grave, came up to the two sorrowing little fellows. Bending down he gave each one a kiss and prayed God’s blessing on them.
There was present a young Christian who that evening was to preach the gospel in a nearby hall. He went as planned, and standing before his hearers, he said: “I saw today something I have never seen before. A father kissed two boys who had been the cause of the death of his son.”
He then told them about the funeral. “And,” he said, “that is what God in His great love is doing now—kissing any who come to Him believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, notwithstanding the fact that they were the cause of the death of His Son.”
It made a strong impression on his hearers. One man in the audience, who was judged to be one of the worst characters in that district, came up to the young preacher after the meeting, and said, “Does God kiss all who repent like that?”
“Yes,” the preacher replied, “if they come to Him in faith believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, they will receive pardon, peace and eternal blessing.”
“Then,” he replied, “I will come to Him right now!” And he did come to the Saviour.
May God grant that your decision, dear unsaved reader, may be the same. As the result, you will know forgiveness of your sins, and learn the joy of the Father’s kiss.
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:2020And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Luke 15:20).
ML-07/24/1977