The railway station in a northwestern town was crowded when I entered the waiting room. Glancing around, my attention was soon caught by a most unusual person sitting on the front row of benches.
This individual was an old Indian attired in the full native costume of a chief-feathered headdress, beaded buckskin tunic ornamented with fur and dyed porcupine quills, and deerskin moccasins on his feet—his regalia was strikingly complete. Two thick braids of black hair hung down over his shoulders framing his weather-beaten face wrinkled with age. As I stared in fascination at the old warrior, a station attendant offered the information that the chief was 106 years old.
The longer I looked at the old man in his quiet calmness the more I longed to know all about him. When at last I saw the seat beside him was empty, I slipped over to have a chat with the old man. He seemed pleased that I took an interest in him and soon was telling me of many interesting incidents in his long and eventful life. However, my main concern was whether the old man had any knowledge of the Savior, or hope for eternity, and during a lull in the conversation I plucked up enough courage to ask him.
"Chief," I whispered in his ear, "has anyone ever spoken to you about the Lord Jesus Christ?”
"Jesus!" he exclaimed. "Blessed Jesus! Why yes, I know Him. He is the Door. Jesus said, 'I am the Door' and 'No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
Then to my amazement the old Indian began to tell me of God's wonderful plan of salvation. He knew well that a sinner must repent of his sins and be born again before he can ever enter heaven.
At his mention of the words "born again" I ventured another question, this time with more confidence. "Chief, when were YOU born again?”
His face lit up and he replied with enthusiasm, "Over fifty years ago, and Jesus did it! He is my Savior.”
Indians as a whole are often regarded by Christians as heathen with little knowledge of Christianity and only looking forward to reaching their "Happy Hunting Grounds" at death. Yet here was an old chief, tottering on the brink of the grave, and he knew more about God's great plan of salvation than many professors of religion who consider themselves good Christians. He knew that he was BORN AGAIN, and was ready to give an answer for the reason of the hope that was in him.
Readers, are you "born again"? Have you entered that blessed Door of hope which is Christ Jesus?