THE POOR old fellow sketched here is a hobo, or tramp. In these days of prosperity in this country it seems we don’t see so many hobos as we used to years ago. But when I was a boy the tramp with his bewhiskered face, shabby clothes, worn out shoes, and bag over his shoulder, was a familiar sight on the roads leading out of town.
I remember one old man in particular, in that part of the country I came from, who was well known up and down the highways for hundreds of miles. Often he would be seen thumbing a ride, or squatting on the roadside before a little fire, over which hung a small kettle or a frying pan. When he died he was written up in the newspapers. I don’t know if the poor old fellow went to heaven or not. We can only hope so. But I always felt sorry for him, for I don’t believe the Lord Jesus would have one of His own to live that kind of a life.
Well, our story today is about a famous artist and a hobo. The artist had taken a quiet walk out of town one day, when he came upon an old hobo sitting along the side of the road, much like the one sketched in our picture. What a subject for a painting, he thought. So addressing the old man he inquired if he would be willing to pose for a picture, for which he would be well repaid for the time spent. Thrilled at the prospect of having his picture painted and of making a few easy dollars at the same time, the tramp immediately accepted the offer.
“Very well then, you come to my studio,” said the artist, setting the hour and date of the appointment and giving him his address.
After he was gone the old tramp began to think that he should clean himself up a bit before having his picture painted. So on the day he was to appear at the studio, he got washed up, he shaved off all his whiskers and rigged himself out with the best clothes he could find. With no little pride and self-esteem he made his way to the studio at the appointed hour and knocked on the door.
The artist himself came to the door and demanded who he was and what he wanted. Surprised at such a reception, the tramp reminded him of the bargain he had made with him. The artist, however, failed to recognize him as the tramp he had met on the roadside. “Sorry, but I don’t know you,” he said. “You’re not the man I want,” and he closed the door. Bitterly disappointed at this sudden turn of events, the poor old man turned around and went his way.
We believe, dear friends, that this little story aptly illustrates one of the grand truths set forth in the gospel. Few people perhaps, in the eyes of others, would be called tramps; at the worst they would like to think themselves respectable sinners. But the truth is that before God, apart from being saved by grace alone, boys and girls, men and women everywhere, are prodigals, sinners adrift on the broad road that leads to death and judgment. But God’s love has gone out to us, His grace which bringeth salvation has appeared, and the gospel invites all men everywhere to come to Christ as the only hope of the sinner.
But how often when one is concerned about his need of salvation he thinks he must clean up a bit, bore coming to Jesus, and so he sets about to make some improvements in his life. But this is no good, for that is only a man’s self-righteousness, which God will not accept. “We are all as an unclean thing,” He declares, “and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,” in His sight (Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)). The best one can produce is nothing more than that. To delay and attempt some reforms only makes matters worse. Had the old tramp presented himself to the artist just as he was, how much better it would have fared with him!
Now the Lord Jesus says, as it were, Come, just as you are, and I will receive you. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” “It is written, There is none righteous, no not one.” Rom. 3:1010As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10). It is those who realize they have no righteousness of their own but make Christ their righteousness, that press in through the open door to life, joy and peace, while those who go about vainly trying to establish their own righteousness remain outside.
Try to get a tramp to give up his old shabby coat and he will cling to it all the more, but offer him a brand new one and he will soon give up the old. God offers every sinner a robe of righteousness that will fit him perfectly for heaven, for the Father’s house, and this is having Christ, whose precious blood cleanseth us from all sin. “The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, is unto all,” but it is only “upon all them that believe.” Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22). May God grant that you, dear reader, might believe the gospel and have Christ as your righteousness.
Just as I am—without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee:
O Lamb of God, I come!
Just as I am—and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot:
O Lamb of God, I come!
ML-03/11/1962