“Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.”
Many of the teachings of Christ are very simple, yet many fail to grasp the full meaning of them. Sometimes a simple story given as an illustration will help one to realize the simplicity of them.
One of the best illustrations of the above text, that I have found, is that of a boy who was seen one dark night at the midnight hour, creeping slowly up the steps of a handsome residence, now utterly dark and quiet. He took from his pocket a little key, and with it unlocked the door and entered. He warmed himself at the register, then started up the stairs, oh, so carefully. Feeling his way to the door of a certain room, he turned the knob. It was unlocked, and the boy quietly stepped in.
The street light shone upon a dainty bed all ready for an occupant. A dressing gown lay on a chair near the bed, also a pair of slippers before it. The rest of the room was in darkness. With a great cry, the boy fell on his knees by the bedside.
He was not a burglar, no, no, only a home-sick boy, stealing home under cover of night to die.
Two years before, he had knelt by that bed when his angel mother had died. At that time he thought his father was stern and cold, so he ran away to live as he liked.
While wandering from place to place, a much-forwarded letter reached him one day. It contained nothing but a tiny latch-key of the home door. He had carried that key in his pocket for months, and at last it had drawn him back to his home so far away.
The following morning the father opened his son’s door, as he had ever since he had sent the latch-key. He really expected nothing, it had become a habit with him, so this morning he opened the door as usual. Thinking his eyes had deceived him, he started back when he saw the loved form of his son in the bed asleep. How thin and worn was the face.
When the father fell on his knees, the boy opened his eyes. “Father, I have come home to die. I have been so wicked, wicked, can you forgive me,” he sobbed.
Quickly the father replied, “Forgive you, my boy? Indeed I can. And God — have you asked His forgiveness?”
“Yes, father, that is what I wanted to tell you before I die.”
“Die?” And as the father gathered him in his arms he said “Die, when I have just found you? No indeed.”
“But, father, the doctor of the hospital said that I could not live long.”
When the family physician had looked the boy over, he promised him a complete restoration to health if he would obey him strictly and told him he would yet be the stay of his father’s old age.
A short time after this, the boy turned to his father and said, “Father, I would never have come home by daylight, and if you had not sent that latch-key, I would not be here today. When I was out in the cold stormy night, I could not resist the comfort at the end of that key.”
Dear reader, have you been like this boy at any time in your life? Wanted to have your own way and see some-tiling of life? You left home (or possibly you did not leave home) but you had Christian parents who taught you to go to Church and Sabbath school. But when you grew older you gave it all up and went a different way entirely. You got away from their influence and your teacher’s counsel, and learned the ways of sin and folly.
Or it maybe you had no Christian home, your parents were ungodly, and you were left to do as you please in choosing your associates. Then you got out into the byways of sin, you became anything else but a pure boy, or a pure girl. Now, after living in sin, it may be for years, you find it has not paid. The pleasures you anticipated have not been lasting, and it has not been a happy life. Tonight, you are like this boy, dissatisfied and heart sick. This boy grew tired of his life and longed to return home, but how could he? Would his father welcome him? But one day the tiny latch-key of the home door reached him. It reminded him he still had a home, and could return whenever he so desired. He knew now he would be welcome. It reminded him, too, of his mother’s Saviour, whom he in his distress had promised to love and trust. Still he was afraid. But at last the latch-key drew him home to rest, peace and forgiveness.
Oh, wandering ones, have you not felt you should give up your ways of sin and folly, and begin life anew? In your quiet hours you have embraced some good things you learned in your childhood. You remembered that Jesus said He was going away to prepare a home, but it is a prepared place for a prepared people. You know you have not prepared yourself, you are not saved, not fit for such a place as Heaven.
Friends, I want to give you a tiny latch-key that will enable you to gain an entrance into a place where you, too, will find rest for your souls, and comfort, and forgiveness, and love. It is not formed of metal as was that key, but of the Words of Christ Himself. We find it in John 6:37,37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37) “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” This boy did not see his father, did not receive a word from him— just an envelope containing a tiny key. But he knew what his father meant. He knew there was a home awaiting him. So by these words spoken by Christ, you know there is a Welcome awaiting you in. His heart of love whenever you will go to Him. But you say, “How can I go to Him?” Kneel down anywhere, just as you are, and say, “Lord, Thou hast said, if I will come to Thee, Thou wilt not cast me out. Therefore I know Thou wilt receive me into Thy heart of love, so here I am, take me as I am.” And He will do it, for that is just what He did for me. And He will forgive you too — He did me.
That boy went home just as he was, confessed to his father and received an abundant entrance into his father’s home and love. Just so Christ longs to have you come to Him. Will you come now? Don’t resist the pleadings of the Spirit, for comfort, joy and happiness are awaiting you; awaiting you at the end of this little key from God’s Word.
I am praying for everyone who shall read this tract. Therefore,
For you I am praying,
I’m praying for you.
Atlantic City, N.J.
Lillie M. Hambleton.