Jim and Tom were brothers in the home. They were very much like each other in appearance and habits, and were true brothers in every sense. In the same school and in the same class, it often puzzled the schoolmaster to tell which was Jim and which was Tom. One day he did not even know they had changed places. It came about in this way.
During the teacher’s absence the usual noise and frolic took place. Returning unexpectedly he found Tom ringleader in the uproar. He must take the punishment for the offense, so was brought forward to the desk. But no cane could be found; it had been left behind by the teacher in his hasty return. Leaving Tom standing, he preceeded to find the instrument of punishment. In a moment Jim, the brother of the offender, slipped into his place, gave him a push toward his desk, and stood sullenly awaiting the punishment.
When the master returned, he did not notice that one brother had taken the place or become the substitute for the other, so punished Jim, the innocent, though willing victim, and let Tom, the real offender, go free.
An ordinary incident in school life, a picture of the greatest event in the world, when it is said of the Lord Jesus,
“But He was wounded for our tranressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. Listen to the testimony of the chief of sinners.
“The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
Jim only took a caning instead of Tom, but Jesus died in our stead on the Cross of Calvary! What mighty love! God “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.” Romans 8:32.
I feel sure when school was over that Tom thanked Jim warmly for volunteering to take his place and bear his punishment.
I also feel sure if you could but reaze how much the Lord Jesus has loved you, how great a danger He is willing to save you from, and how great a glory He is willing to save you to, you would not retire to rest another night without thanking Him for loving you, dying for you, rising for you, and soon coming to take you to His Eternal Home. Why not thank Him now?
“Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love, in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8.
“Thanks be unto God for His upeakable Gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.
ML 11/11/1945