I WANT to tell you of two boys who were twins, and whose names were Charlie and Jack. It was hard to tell them apart, and most people just couldn't do it.
These two boys went to school together, and one day Charlie was disobedient to his teacher, The teacher reported this to the head of the school and they decided that Charlie must stay in for one hour after school and do some hard work.
When school was over, the teacher kept a sharp look out for Charlie. Suddenly he spied. Jack, and, thinking it was the twin brother, he stopped him and ordered him to stay behind and get to work as punishment for his bad conduct.
"But, Sir . . ." he began.
"No words now."
"But, Sir . . ."
"No words now. You may speak to me afterward, Charlie."
So the boy set to work, and when the time was almost up the teacher came along and asked him what it was he had to say.
"Well, Sir," said Jack, "I'm not Charlie, I'm Jack. But now that I have stayed in and have done the work for him, must he be punished too?"
What do you think the teacher did? Of course he let Charlie free from the punishment, as Jack had done the work instead, although it was all a mistake.
Dear children, there was One who took our place and died in our stead — but He did it willingly. He knew what would happen to Him before He came into this world, but He went to the cross and died, in order that He might save guilty sinners like you and me.
We have all been disobedient, and all deserved punishment, , not for an hour, but for all eternity. The Lord Jesus has taken our place as sinners and borne the punishment for us. Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?
Messages of God’s Love 12/25/1949