When the West was young and the web of railroads was first being spread across the country, John Davis held a contract to build a section of one of those railroads. With a gang of about three hundred men, he was working far from civilization.
It was a rough country and most of the men were well suited to it. They were hard workers, and hard fighters too. They distrusted their bosses, and with good reason. There had been many instances of contractors leaving without paying the men’s wages, and it caused them to regard the whole class with suspicion.
However, John Davis had made all his payments of wages to men regularly, and his crew went on with little disturbance. But there came a time when the company which was building the road failed to send the money for payments, and there was nothing he could do but promise and hope from day to day.
At length the storm broke. An indignation meeting was held, in the belief that Davis was somehow holding their money. The men resolved to hang him unless he should produce the cash quickly. A deputation went to him with the decision: “If we do not get our pay, remember this. At nine o’clock tomorrow morning you die.”
There was no hope whatever but that the threat would be executed. There was no possible way of escape, and death by hanging stared him in the face as the inevitable result of the hopeless situation.
The night dragged slowly by and morning came at last. He saw that it was eight o’clock and that only one hour of life remained. Then a faint sound was heard, a sound that rapidly grew louder and became the hoofbeats of a fast-ridden horse down the trail.
It was the courier with the payroll! John Davis’s life was spared, and instead of a hanging, the men rushed for their money and began their usual celebration.
Davis was totally innocent of stealing the money due the men. He had been a good contractor, kind and careful with his men and a prompt paymaster, but they were ready and willing to hang him. If they had succeeded, the general verdict would have been: unjust lynching—a wicked murder.
Right! But what of another murder, a murder far worse than this would have been? It is a murder with which we are all identified, for all the world stands guilty before God of the murder of His Son, Jesus Christ. Do you stand with the Lord Jesus Christ—or with His murderers?
Jesus said, He that is not with Me is against Me. Have you taken your stand on the Lord’s side? It is not necessary to commit an actual murder. According to the law, one who is an “accessory after the fact” can be held to be equally guilty.
The amazing thing about Christ’s death on the cross is that He prayed, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do, and because of that death on the cross, God can forgive the guiltiest of sinners. Why not accept that full and free forgiveness? Why not prove for yourself that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin?
“Away with this Man. . . .
Crucify Him!”
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them!”
Luke 23:18,21,3418And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Luke 23:18)
21But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. (Luke 23:21)
34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)