The Sunday Special

Good morning.

As usual, since Sunday is a day of rest, I take a break from writing the article, but instead give you something that I found precious.

The following I have found on Facebook and I presume it probably has done the rounds and you may have read it before, but I would like you to put yourself in the girl’s position as you think where you came from, how you would have felt or actually feel and what it would mean or have meant for you.

 
This story is told about the days of slavery: "During the years when slavery was legal in the United States, a gentleman happened to stumble upon a slave-bidding in a crowed street. The man paused to observe the activities. As he watched from the edge of the crowd, he saw one slave after another led to a platform, their arms and legs shackled with ropes as if they were animals. Displayed before the jeering crowd, they were auctioned off, one by one.

"Some onlookers would inspect the 'merchandise,' grabbing disrespectfully at the women, examining the muscular arms of the men. The gentleman studied the group of slaves waiting nearby. He paused when he saw a young girl standing at the back. Her eyes were filled with fear. She looked so frightened. He hesitated for a moment and then disappeared briefly. When he returned, the auctioneer was about to start the bidding for the young girl he had noticed beforehand.

"As the auctioneer opened the bidding, the gentleman shouted out a bid that was twice the amount of any other selling price offered that day. There was silence for an instance, and then the gavel fell as 'sold to the gentleman' was heard. The gentleman stepped forward, and waited at the bottom of the steps as the young girl was led down to her new owner. The rope which bound her was handed to the man, who accepted it without saying anything. The young girl stared at the ground. Suddenly she looked up and spat in his face. Silently, he reached for a handkerchief and wiped the spittle from his face. He smiled gently at the young girl and said, 'Follow me.' She followed him reluctantly. As they reached the edge of the crowd, he continued to a nearby area where each deal was closed legally.

"When a slave was set free, legal documents, called manumission papers, were necessary. The gentleman paid the purchase price and signed the necessary documents. When the transaction was complete, he turned to the young girl and presented the documents to her. Startled, she looked at him with uncertainty. Her narrowed eyes asked, 'What are you doing?' The gentlemen responded to her questioning look. He said, 'Here, take these papers. I bought you to make you free. As long as you have these papers in your possession, no man can ever make you a slave again.'

"The girl looked into his face. What was happening? There was silence. Slowly, she said, 'You bought me to make me free? You bought me to make me free?' As she repeated this phrase over and over, the significance of what had just happened became more and more real to her. 'You bought me to make me free?' Was it possible that a stranger had just granted her freedom and never again could she be held in bondage and servitude to any man? As she began to grasp the significance of the documents which she now held in her hand, she fell to her knees and wept at the gentleman's feet. Through her tears of joy and gratitude, she said, 'You bought me to make me free. I'll serve you forever!'"

And, dear Reader, this is exactly what Jesus Christ did for you and me. He died on the cross in your place and mine to pay the ransom price for our sins so we could be fully forgiven by God and set free from the slavery of sin and its eternal damnation.

Wasn’t it a wonderful story?

Lord, thank you for purchasing me with the highest price – your life. I make myself available to you forever, to do with me what you would like to.

Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.

Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.