Weekly Devotion - #2
Read: 2 Corinthians 5
HE TOOK MY LICKIN FOR ME
Rev. A. C. Dixon, the great Baptist preacher who
was born in the mountains of Virginia, told this true story. Many years ago
there was a school which no teacher could control. The boys were very rough. A
young teacher applied, and the old director said, "Young feller, do you know
what you are doing? Every teacher we have had for years has had to take a
beating." He replied, "I will risk it."
When the new teacher started. One big student,
Tom, looked at the him and said, "I can lick him myself."
The teacher said, "Good morning, boys, we
have come to conduct school, now, I want a good school, but I need your help.
Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I will write them on the
blackboard." One fellow yelled, "No stealing!" Another yelled, "On time."
Finally ten rules appeared. "Now," said the teacher, "a law is no good unless
there is a penalty. What shall we do if someone breaks the rules?" "Beat him
across the back ten times without his coat on." "Are you sure, boys. Are you
ready to stand by it?" They all agreed to the new rules. Then school started.
In a day or so Big Tom found his dinner was
stolen. Upon inquiry the thief was located a little hungry boy, about ten. Then
next morning the teacher announced, "We have found the thief and he must be
punished according to your rule ten stripes across the back. Jim, come up
here!" The little fellow, trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up
to the neck and pleaded, "Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but
please don't make me take my coat off!" "Take that coat off; you helped make the
rules!" "O teacher, don't make me!" He began to unbutton, and what did the
teacher see? The lad had no shirt on and a very bony body. "How can I whip this
child?" thought the teacher. Everything was quiet as death. "How come you to be
without a shirt, Jim?" He replied, "My father died and mother is very poor. I
have only one shirt to my name, and she is washing that today, and I wore my
brother's big coat to keep warm." Just then Big Tom jumped to his feet
and said, "Teacher, I will take Jim's lickin for him." "Very well, there is a
certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?"
Off came Tom's coat, and after 5 hard strokes the rod broke! The teacher
thought, "How can I finish this awful task?" Then he heard the entire school
sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both
arms around the neck. "Tom, I am sorry I stole your dinner, but I was awful
hungry. Tom, I'll love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I'll
love you forever."
Friend, you have broken every rule and deserve
eternal punishment! But Jesus Christ took your whipping for you and died in your
place. Christians should be as Jim and say to the Lord, "I'll love you forever
for taking my licking for me." [TGC]
THOT: Jesus loved you enough to die in your place,
for your sin.
TODAY: Accept Jesus and
get saved today!
This lesson is from 30 Heart Touching Devotions
available from SWM.
You have permission to copy for personal and church use.
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