Isaiah 53:5 (New International Version)
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed
for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his
wounds we are healed.
There was a class of young people that no teacher was
able to handle. Two or three teachers had been run off from school this year by
these young people. Finally a young man out of college heard about the class
and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man
"Do you not know what you are asking for, no one has
been able to handle these young people, you are just asking for a terrible
beating."
After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man
looked at the principal and said
"Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge, just
give me a trial basis."
The next morning the young man reported for class. He
said to the class,
"Young people, I came here today to conduct school,
but I realize I can't do it by myself, I must have your help."
One big boy, they called Big Tom, in the back of the room
whispered to his buddies,
"I'll not need any help, I can lick that little bird
all by myself."
The young teacher told the class if they are to have
school, there will have to be some rules to go by. He also added that he will
allow the students to make up the rules and he will list them on the
blackboard. One young man suggested,
"NO STEALING".
Another one shouted,
"BE ON TIME FOR CLASS."
Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The
teacher had then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking
these rules. Rules are no good unless they are enforced. Someone in the class
suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a
rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that was pretty
harsh, and asked the class would they stand by this punishment. The class
agreed.
Everything went pretty good for two or three days.
Finally Big Tom came in one day very upset. He reported that someone had stolen
his lunch. After talking with the students they came to the conclusion that
Little Jim had stolen Big Tom's lunch. The teacher called Little Jim up to the
front of the room and asked him to remove his coat. That little fellow came up
the aisle with a great big coat on. Little Jim approached the teacher and said,
"I am guilty and am willing to take my punishment
but please don't make me take off my coat."
The teacher reminded Little Jim of the rules and their
punishments and asked him again to remove his coat and take his punishment like
a man. That little fellow started to unbutton that old coat, and the teacher
saw that he did not have a shirt on under the coat. The teacher asked Little
Jim why he came to school without a shirt on. Little Jim said,
"My daddy's dead and my mother is very poor, I don't
have but one shirt and my mother is washing it today. I wore big brother's coat
to keep my little body warm."
That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back and
wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back without even a shirt on. He
knew if he didn't enforce the punishment, the children would not obey the
rules, so as he drew back to strike Little Jim, Big Tom came down the aisle.
Big Tom asked,
"Can I take Little Jim's whipping for him?"
The teacher agreed and Big Tom ripped his coat off and
stooped over and the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for
some strange reason after only five licks, that old rod just broke in half. The
young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob. He heard a
commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room.
Little Jim had run and grabbed Big Tom around the neck,
apologizing to him for stealing his lunch, and explained that he was so very
hungry. Little Jim begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would
love him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him.
Aren't you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us, that
He shed his precious blood on Calvary so that we can have eternal life in Glory
with Him? We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren't you glad He
loves us that much?
Dear Lord we thank You for taking the punishment that we deserved.
We pray that as we go through the day we would show that love to those around
us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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