In a rough little school house up in the mountains, the new teacher rang the bell and stood by the door as fifteen boys and girls trooped noisily in.
They were very pleased when he told them they could make their own rules for school, and they would be written on the blackboard.
“No stealing,” “No fighting,” “No swearing,” “No talking in classes,” were some that were suggested, and after the rules were written down, one of the big boys asked, “There’s got to be punishment for disobeying the rules—hasn’t there, Mr. Kingston?”
“Surely, Tom,” said the teacher, “what would you choose?”
“Ten stripes across the back with the coat off,” replied Tom.
For some days all went well. Then one noon big Tom came up to the teacher’s desk to tell him, “Somebody stole my lunch,” and he looked so angry. The teacher called everyone in and then announced, “Tom’s lunch has been stolen. I don’t like to think that one of you is a thief, but someone in this room has taken it. Who was it?”
No one moved, so Mr. Kingston began searching each desk. When he came to Jimmie’s turn, the little fellow threw himself over the desk and cried, “No, No.” Needless to say, the empty lunch box was found there!
“Whatever made you do it, Jimmie?” asked the teacher.
“I was so hungry, sir,” sobbed Jimmie. “Pop’s been away for five days, and we had no breakfast today.”
“But, Jimmie, had you told me, I would have given you some of my lunch. Come up to the front — you know the penalty for stealing.”
Sobbing Jimmie followed him to the front, where he was told to take his coat off.
“Please, sir,” pleaded Jimmie, “may I leave it on?”
“I’m sorry, Jimmie, but that’s part of the penalty.”
Reluctantly he took off his coat, and everyone gasped. “Where’s your shirt, Jimmie?” exclaimed the teacher, in amazement.
“I haven’t got one, sir,” he said.
Just then there was a noise in the class, and they turned to see big Tom coming up to the front. As he came he was taking off his coat—“Whip me instead of Jimmie, Mr. Kingston,” he said. So across Tom’s coatless back the teacher counted ten stripes. He winced with pain as it struck, but never a sound escaped him.
Dear reader, doesn’t this make you think of the Lord Jesus of whom we read in Isaiah 53:77He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7), “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth”? He was bearing the judgment we deserved for our sins when He died on the cross, and He suffered it all that we might go free. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5).
As Tom turned to put his coat on and return to his desk, there was a little cry, and up from his seat came Jimmie. Throwing his arms around the bigger boy’s waist he buried his head in Tom’s coat and wept.
“Tom, I’ll never forget you took my whipping. Thank you. I’ll always be your friend.”
Dear reader, have you ever thanked the Lord for dying for you? If not, why not do so now, and accept Him as your Saviour and Friend?
But there is a happy ending to this story. When Tom went home that night he told what happened. His mother packed a big box of food and sent it to Jimmie’s home. Clothing for the family was provided and work for Jimmie’s father.
We are told, that, for those who know the Lord Jesus, “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).
Will you trust Him?
HAVE you any room for Jesus—
He who bore our load of sin?
As He knocks and seeks admission,
Children, will you let Him in?
ML 11/10/1968