THERE must have been hundreds of other people in the railway station when I entered the waiting room, but my attention was drawn away from them all and became fastened on an outstanding character seated on the front row of benches.
He was an old Indian chief dressed in full native costume feathered headdress, beaded buckskin coat decorated with fur and dyed porcupine quills, and deerskin moccasins on his feet. Two thick braids of black hair hung down over his shoulders and his weather-beaten face was wrinkled with age. The station attendant told me that the old chief was 106 years of age. When I saw the seat beside him was empty, I slipped over to have a chat with him. He seemed pleased that I took an interest in him and told me of many interesting stories and incidents in his long and eventful career.
However, I wondered whether the old man had any hopes for eternity and during a break in our 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?”
Never shall I forget his answer.
“Jesus!” he exclaimed. “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 of how a sinner must repent of his sins and he born again before he can ever enter heaven. At the mention of the words “born again” I ventured another question,
“Chief, when were YOU born again?”
His face lit up and he replied with enthusiasm, “Over fifty years, and Jesus did it!”
White men often looked upon Indians as pagans who know very little of Christianity and who looked forward to reaching their “Happy Hunting Grounds” when they died. Yet here was an old chief, on the brink of the grave, who knew more about God’s great plan of salvation than many people today who are church members and consider themselves good Christians. He knew that he was “BORN AGAIN” and could tell when and how it took place.
Dear reader, can you say the same?
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, then learn a lesson from the old chief. “Ye must be born again,” said the Lord Jesus (John 3:77Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)); again, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” v. 5.
E. B. S.
ML-11/12/1972