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Musings on God’s Word
I came across a story in my reading this week that I think I’ve heard before but believe it bears repeating.
A century ago there was a one room school in the backwoods of Virginia where children of logging or mining families got their education. . Since the school taught children of all ages there were some older boys that made it so difficult for the teacher they rarely survived more than a month or two. A young man fresh out of teachers college applied for the job and when he walked into the interview the director took pity on him and suggested he withdraw his application. The Director felt he would be overwhelmed by the teaching task. The applicant on the other hand said he appreciated the warning but since he needed the job he said he’d take the risk. The Director reluctantly hired him.
The next morning as he entered the class the teacher noticed a number of the older boys gathered at the back of the classroom. A big boy by the name of Tom seemed to be the leader. The teacher overheard Tom say “When I get done with him, he won’t dare set foot in this classroom again”.
Now the teacher took a new approach and suggested that before they get started a set of rules should be established which they all must follow. He then began asking the students what they thought the rules should be. One by one they shouted out some rules. “No stealin”, “No bein late”, “No lyin”. Soon there was a set of rules laid down by the students themselves. So then the question was asked: what would be the punishment for breaking a rule? At this point Big Tom spoke up and suggested that a rules breaker should receive ten licks across his bare back. He felt even tougher by being the one to set the punishment. The teacher allowed it to stand even though he felt it was a little harsh.
The next day just before lunch Big Tom yelled out “somebody stole my lunch”. The teacher questioned the class and in due course a little ten year old boy wearing a worn out coat cried “I done it, It was me. I was so hungry I couldn’t help myself.
Mr Wilson, the teacher with sadness in his voice said to young Jimmy, “please come forward and remove your jacket”. When he did, the teacher saw that the boy had no other item of clothing under the jacket. His back was bare. Jimmy told the class that his Dad had died and they were poor. With only one shirt that got washed on washday he had nothing else to wear that day.
The teacher, with a heavy heart, lifted the paddle to administer the punishment to young Jimmy when up jumped Big Tom and cried, “Don’t do it Mr. Wilson I wanna take Jimmy’s place”. The teacher handed little Jimmy his coat back and up stepped Big Tom to take the punishment. As the teacher administered the punishment he realized that every child in the room was crying. Suddenly little Jimmy ran to Big Tom and threw his arms around him. Jimmy said to Tom, “I’m so sorry I stole your lunch. I hate that I done this but I want you to know that I’ll love you till my dyin day for taking the lickin for me”.
This, of course, is a picture of what it means to call Jesus our Savior. Jesus did the same for us. He did not want us to bear the punishment we so deserved and instead gave up his coat and life for our salvation. All it took was for us to say “Yes” and “Thank you”. He who made the rules took the punishment. What more can we do but accept?
John 3:16
- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Click to listen to “Because He Lives“
Verse 1 God sent His son, they called Him Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! Chorus Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives! Verse 2 How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives; But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! Verse 3 And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Services
When: Sunday June 18, 2023
09:00 am Breaking of Bread (2nd offering will be for Duncan Christian School)
10:15 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Family Bible Hour
Speaker: Ian Mackie
Note: Ian has graciously volunteered to switch places with Mark Andrade. Mark is still having travel issues due to the closure of Highway 4. Mark will replace Ian for our July 2nd service.
Chapel Update
- the rear parking lot at the chapel is finished
- there are 16 parking spots
- 2 of which are for those who need to be near the ramp for easy access to the building through the kitchen.
Looking forward to seeing you all
JACK PEAKE
250-510-4299
JBPEAKE174@GMAIL.COM