Timothy

CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE (I)

The apostle Paul, who was endowed with much grace by the Lord and moreover was granted great wisdom and understanding, has written that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (I Cor. 3:19). He meant: so-called wisdom, if it lacks God, is really foolishness.

Hence in the first epistle to the Corinthians he cited with approval what one of the greatest prophets of all time, Isaiah, prophesied against Jerusalem: “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent” (I Cor. 1:19).

Both Isaiah and Paul, great in grace because they knew their own smallness before God, were endowed with great wisdom, but it was wisdom ennobled by God’s irresistable grace. So it is not wrong to be learned; rather, it is good to study. However, learning should be coupled with grace, else mere knowledge consists only of words—words without wisdom.

We live in an apparently “learned” time with “educated” people. We are “smart,” are we not?

And, generally speaking, the more educated people become, the more quickly they try to erase God from earthly plans and theories.

Let us stay close to home. There have been times that few in our Netherlands Reformed Congregations had studied a lot or acquired much education. This was true in the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as in the Netherlands.

Well, in our days things have changed.

Slowly on, an increasing number have “eaten many letters” as the Dutch expression goes. Scores of our young people are attending high schools, many continue at colleges and universities. And although the number is still small, a few have received graduate degrees.

Now, knowledge at our fingertips can be a great blessing, and I would not like to condemn getting an education; on the contrary. However, knowledge contains at the same time a tremendous danger.

It is a danger which we must not slight.

What danger do I mean? Well, it is this: that we are going to go along with criticism of the Bible when we become more educated and more sophisticated. First we do it under cover, possibly without realizing the consequences; later on we do it openly. But it still is criticism of the revealed Word of the Lord.

There are different kinds of criticism, but they are not our concern here. Scripture must be compared with Scripture, it is true. In that sense the explanation of Scripture arises out of Scripture. We should not pour our own meaning into a text (even if what we are saying is right). We may not put one text over against another. Nor may we judge Scripture’s truth by historical accounts that were not inspired. Difficulties may remain; not all texts will be clear. But why? The reason is because our understanding is darkened—and not because the Bible is in error!

It comes down to this: Do we believe the Bible’s testimony about itself? That is: Do we believe when God says His Word is true? If not, we make Him a har and put ourselves above the God of the Scriptures.

With criticism of the Bible we try with our minuscule minds to undermine the Divine Truths by which many of the past God-fearing generations have lived and have fallen asleep, blessed in the Lord. Indeed, in the hour of their death they have been comforted with the words of that old Bible.

Young people, watch out! Satan hes in wait and he attempts to whisper all kinds of things into our hearts. How can there be a God? Why are there so many wars? Why so much misery? How could God possibly create the earth out of nothing? How can a heaven exist? Every religion has a certain part of the truth and all together they make up the entire truth, so they say.

And the bad part is that there are so many schools where the teachers wrest the firmness from the Truth. This can occur with ridicule, counter-arguments, or even plainly ignoring Scripture. Certain professors with high academic distinctions, let it be admitted, nevertheless do not bow completely under the authority of God’s Word. And even the smallest disagreements with the Bible easily lead to bigger ones. The Lord alone knows how many of our young people have lost the right track because the Truth was rendered powerless—or so it seemed to them.

Does it not speak to the necessity of our own Christian schools? The constitutions of our schools ought to be anchored in the Bible and the Three Forms of Unity. There we have a true statement of purpose. There we have a proven, accepted, trustworthy summary of the doctrine according to godliness.

And the practice in our schools? Of course, that too should be firmly rooted in Scripture. We must judge our actions, our teaching, our activities in the light of Scripture. And then much of what is fashionable in the public schools, even much of what passes in other so-called Christian schools cannot stand the test of Scripture. Let us stand on guard and not depart from the old paths.

You see, young people, many of you may be forced to attend public schools and universities. But even if you may attend one of our own schools this applies. We are not immune to error. Pray the Lord for light for your teachers and yourself.

The devil knows our heart. He knows exactly which poison he must use to snare us. Extremely careful he is, in the beginning, how he poisons a person. The poison even seems to taste good. We are pleased with it. But soon we are on a downward slide and cannot stop. Another person he suddenly floods with the greatest errors. Blatantly he mocks with holy matters and denies the truth of God’s Word. Whatever tactic Satan uses, listening to him brings us death in all occasions.

But mark well, if you have been raised with the Truth, you will never have peace if you sink along with whatever is recommended nowadays as new and better. For years it can seem that this is possible and that your conscience is silenced, but in the hour of death so many have devastatingly discovered the truth. And if not at that time, how horrible and revealing will be judgment!

Even Nietzsche, born in a German family of ministers, who was a philosopher with great talents, who dared to proclaim that he wished to write on all the walls in the world that God did not exist-that atheist knew when he lay dying that he had to travel his way through death alone. All his education had profited him nothing. All his fighting against God gave him eternal perdition.

Next time a little more about this subject.

Rev. A.W. Verhoef

Chilliwack, B.C.

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls, The little word “sin” is heard quite often in church, in prayers, and also in the Word of God. It brought about the ruin of our human nature, and continues to exist in the hearts of all mankind. Sometimes sin is expressed by the words “transgression” and “iniquities”, or even by the word “debts”, as in the Lord’s Prayer. We are taught from our early days that we are sinful, but has it ever become a burden upon our back, as it was for Christian in the book Pilgrim’s Progress. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reprove of sin, for otherwise we will make excuses for our sinning and fail to understand what sin is in the sight of God. We need only search God’s Word to find examples of this, but here and there we will find a sinner who has learned to know the burden of sin and its offence in the eyes of God. Among these was the psalmist, who had to confess, “Our sins rise up against us, prevailing day by day.” May many of our young friends also be taught to know this and to hate and flee from sin. It is told how Martin Luther once cried out, “O my sin! my sin! my sin!” Afterward he was given to know Him Who came to save His people from their sins. Read the story of Luther for yourself, and ask the Lord to also teach you of these things.

The first letters of the answers this month will spell out three words of instruction given us in Jeremiah 3. In the answers you will find some who made a good confession, and some who did not. Study them carefully!

When King_____heard the

words of the Lord spoken by Elijah, he rent his clothes, put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted.

Who said, “Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth”?

The Lord said to Saul, “I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to____against the pricks.”

David said to_____, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

In Psalm 51 David cried to the Lord, saying, “Against Thee, Thee_____, have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight.”

Adam said to the Lord, “The____ whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

In the book of Nehemiah we read that the_____confessed before the Lord, “Thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for Thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly.”

Job said to the Lord, “Now mine _____seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

After a prophet told Ahab how he had done wrong in letting Benhadad remain alive, Ahab went to his house heavy and______

The prayer of the publican in the temple was, “_____be merciful to me a sinner.”

Who prayed, saying, “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God; for our iniquities are increased over our head”?

Peter remembered the word of the Lord, “Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me_____”, and he went out and wept bitterly.

Aaron said to Moses, “Let not the anger of my lord wax_____; thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.”

Daniel prayed, saying, “Yea, all _____have transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy voice.”

David’s heart smote him after that he had_____the people, and he said unto the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done.”

Who said to his sons, “Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people”?

Judas said to the chief priests and elders, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the____blood.”

The king of______said to his people, “Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way.”

Paul wrote to Timothy how he was in former times “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and __________”.

When the fire of the Lord burned among the children of Israel, they cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was______

After disbelieving the good report of two spies, the children of Israel said, “Lo, we be here and will go______unto the place which the Lord hath promised; for we have sinned.”

Judah said to Joseph, “God hath found out the______of thy servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants.”

Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron, “I have sinned this______; the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.”

Simon said to Peter, “Pray______ to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.’’

(Your answers should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Wood-mont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the crossword puzzle of last month are as follows:

ACROSS:

1. Amaziah -II Chron. 25:6

4. Abijah -II Chron. 13:15

6. Jotham -II Chron. 27:2

8. Joram -II Kings 8:29

9. Jehoshaphat -II Chron. 18:6

12. Baasha -I Kings 16:4

14. Omri -I Kings 16:22

15. Amon -II Kings 21:23

16. Asa -II Chron. 15:16

18. Ahaz -Isaiah 7:10

20. Zimri -I Kings 16:18

21. Hezekiah -II Kings 20:6

23. Ahab -I Kings 18:3

24. Solomon -I Kings 3:1

25. Pekah -II Kings 15:27

26. Shallum -II Kings 15:13

27. David -II Samuel 23:15

28. Manasseh -II Kings 21:16

29. Joash -II Chron. 22:12

DOWN:

2. Zachariah -II Kings 15:8

3. Hoshea -II Kings 18:1

5. Jeroboam -I Kings 12:28-29

7. Athaliah -II Chron. 22:12

9. Jehu -II Kings 10:11

10. Nadab -I Kings 15:26

11. Ahaziah -II Kings 1:2

13. Elah -I Kings 16:9-10

17. Rehoboam -I Kings 12:14

19. Zedekiah -Jeremiah 52:8

22. Menahem -II Kings 15:14 24. Saul (No question given)

Answers to the Bible quiz have been received from the following boys and girls-

Audrey VanVeldhuizen(2)

Kristi Van Veldhuizen

Rhonda Van Veldhuizen

Phyllis VanVeldhuizen

Sheila VanVeldhuizen

Scott Van’tZelfde

Tim Van’tZelfde

Laurie VanEss

Richard Carlson

Randy Carlson

Kristi Rosendall

Rachel Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Jeff Boot

Jeremy A. Boot

Glen VanderKooi

Vicki VanGemert

Craig Timmer

Rachel Timmer

John VanGemert

Julie VanGemert

Eric Widner

Kristi DeVries

Jamie Hossink

Marc DeVisser

Steve DeBat

Karrie Mae Beeke

Kristy Schipper

Andy DeVries

Peter VanBrugge (2)

Chad Wielhouwer

Eric Wielhouwer

David Elshout (2)

Leann Klarenbeek (2) David Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek (2)

Arlen Klarenbeek (2)

Rodney VanderZand

Bobby VanderZand

Jeff Klaasen

Nathan VanderMale (2)

Jon VandenToorn

Tammy VandenToorn

Stan Bylsma (2)

Chris Bylsma (2)

Jolene VandenBerg

Craig Phillips

Tim TenElshof

Lisa Markus

Daniel Markus

Cindy Markus

Brian DeVries

Doug Maljaars

Judy Maljaars

Eddie Maljaars

Rick Maljaars

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Carl Mast

Virginia VanderWaal

Jim Kraayeveld

Ed Bazen

Dan Bazen

Peter Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Steve VanOostenbrugge

Karen TeSlaa

Brenda Spaans

Kim VandenToorn

Lisa VandenToorn

Michelle Klaasen

Stephanie Kegel

Jody Kegel

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Janne Boerkoel

Shawn Davelaar

Mark Zomer

Lisa Hoogendoorn

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Shirley Fluit

Sherry Fluit

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Rob Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

James VandenBrink

Gaylon Rozeboom

Julie Ann Rozeboom

Vicki Post

Doug Post

Kent Evan Hoogendoorn

Walt VanderWaal

Danita Erickson

Kristine VanderWaal

Kristi Van Voorst

Jason DeSmit

Julie DeSmit

Michael DeSmit

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Norm VanRavenswaay

Leann VanGinkel

Jennifer Sue Rose

John Schelling

Jason Davelaar

Sonya Davelaar

Stacia Davelaar

Elaine Frens

Anita Roth

Julia Roth

Krista Roth

Leslie VanWyk

Jeffrey VanWyk

Edward VanWyk

Jody Ymker

Diane Spaans

Kristi Boluyt

Nora Jane Knibbe

Jeffry Knibbe

Randy DeBruine

Julie DeBruine

Tara VanBeek

Daryl Fluit

Geoffrey Erkelens (2)

Joan Scholten (2)

Connie Scholten

Henry Scholten

Tom Hoefakker

Michael Post

Sharon Maassen

Joshua VanDerWeide

Jennifer VanDerWeide

Londa VanDerWeide

Ted VandeLagemaat

Louie VandeLagemaat

Kristi Lamain

Sara Lamain

Hugo Kranendonk

Joanne Kranendonk

Tim Dykstra

Bill Dykstra

Dorenda denHoed

JoAnn Heykoop

Robert Van Veldhuizen

Susan denHoed

Bruce denHoed

Steve VanGemert

Ray VanderKooi

Mike VanBemden

Deb VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Tom Kwekel

Dan Dwekel

Melinda DeMeester

Eugene VanHoepen

Len DenBoer

Genny Pavan

Brian VanHoepen

Peter DenBoer

Andy Pavan

Tim Vandenberg

Elizabeth Vandenberg

David Vandenberg

Renita Lynn Schelling

Pamela Schelling

Yvonne Kegel

Brian Kegel

Kimberly Stelsel

Scott Eppinga

Robbin Eppinga

Sheryl DenHoed

Sharon DenHoed

Arlen denHoed

Cara Engelsma

Carmel Goudzwaard

Stephen Sporte

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Constance VanderMeulen

Cathy Both

Colin Both

Bryan Vande Vrede

Amy Vande Vrede

Anita VanTilburg

Carrie Witvoet

Debbie Witvoet

Diane Klarenbeek

Julie Klarenbeek

Karen Wesdyk

Lisa Stalker

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Allan Post

Natalie Post

Karl VanderMeulen

Benjamin VanderMeulen

David VanderMeulen

Frances VanderMeulen

Debra VandenBeukel

Erika VandenBeukel

Karen VandenBeukel

Rose Teunissen

Ronald Hulshof

Cindy Hulshof

Margaret Maassen

Janelle Van Voorst

Rachel VanVoorst

Leah Talbot

Linda Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Laura Talbot

Mark Talbot

Karen DeVries

Marilyn Overeem

Joyce Overeem

Karla Blom

Ronald Kranendonk

Susan Kranendonk

Anita Schouten

E stella Schouten

Philip Schouten

Annette VandenBrink

Leona VandenBrink

Louise VandenBrink

Annette Thomassen

Scott Alan Schelling

Beth VanderKooi

Reineke Bertram

Ronald Bertram

Susan VanRavenswaay

Joel Schoonbeek

Cathy Baum

Steven Baum

Denise VanDeMoere

Diana Lee VanDeMoere

Myra VandeStouwe

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Petra Muis

Lori Beeke

Amy Beeke

Linda Bazen

Jim Bazen

Karen Bazen

David Hoogendoorn

Kevin Hoogendoorn

Jack Neels

Lena Neels

Greg Ymker

Mary Ann Droge

Terry Blom

Lorraine Blom

Tara Lagge

Sarah Schelling

Jake Droge

David Koedam

Dan VanGinkel

John VanGinkel

Laura VanGinkel

And now to answer some of the letters which we have received— JOHN WESDYK - We hope your school may always serve as a place where the truth is taught, John. You must ask the Lord that this may be so, for it is He alone that can uphold a nation, a church or a school in remaining with the truth.

LEONA VANDEN BRINK - The first day of spring we had a heavy snowfall, Leona. It was more snow than we had all winter. We can dress for the cold weather, but sometimes we also hear people speak about cold hearts. Do you know what that means?

JOSHUA PAUL VAN DER WEIDE - Do you have a wood stove or a fireplace where you burn the wood, Joshua? If you use them every day, they require quite a bit of wood. In the Bible we read of a certain people who as a punishment were to be hewers of wood for the house of God. Do you know who they were?

SUSAN DEN HOED - We hope you will never forget the things you learn from God’s Word, Susan. Timothy knew the Bible from his youth, and it was a blessing for him. Ask the Lord to also bless it to your heart. Do you do that?

KENT EVAN HOOGENDOORN-How are those sick calves, Kent?

Animals must also suffer as a result of man’s sin, and this shows us what a terrible thing sin is. Some people speak about “little sins”. Do you think there is a difference in the sight of God?

SHARON MAASSEN-It was nice to receive your letter, Sharon. You wrote very neatly. Where do your aunt and uncle live? How is your father? We had heard of his illness, and we hope that the Lord may bless the means which are being used. Give him our greetings.

JASON DAVELAAR-It isn’t very often that we can do yard work in the first week of March, Jason. Usually the ground is frozen and snow-covered. It is nice to see the warmer weather come again. The Lord is then also fulfilling the promise He made to Noah. Do yon know what He said to him?

KAREN TE SLAA - How is that little goat getting along, Karen? You would probably make a good nurse as you grow older. Do you think you would like to be a nurse? The results are not always the same, and therefore it can also bring sad moments in our life.

KIMBERLY STELSEL - Sometimes letters do get lost, Kimberly; perhaps the mailman loses them, or maybe we even misplace them. I have received quite a few letters this month, so I’m not sure I will be able to answer all of them. Some might have to wait until next month.

DANITA ERICKSON - How many pigs do you have, Danita? Pigs probably can be very sweet when they are real small, but they do change as they grow up. Perhaps this can also be said of some people; they are very sweet when young, but grow up to be disobedient, dishonest, discourteous, etc. Do you agree?

JOHN SCHELLING - How are your grandfathers, John? Were they both in the same hospital? A hospital is a place where we can see much suffering. In the Bible we also read of many that were sick, but we also may read there of the Great Physician. Do you know who I mean?

ANNETTE VANDEN BRINK -My Bible shows the word in Genesis 25:21 as “intreat” rather than entreat, Annette. I am sure that entreat is more commonly used today, but the dictionary shows it both ways. It can make it difficult if your Bible spells it differently.

LONDA MICHELLE VAN DER WEIDE - How are your goats getting along now, Londa? I’ve often thought it would be nice to have goats to keep my lawn mowed, but I don’t know if they would do a good job of it. And then again—maybe the neighbors would object.

DORENDA DEN HOED - Are you helping to spoil your puppy, Dorenda? I don’t think they get that way by themselves. Puppies need training, just like children do. Do you know of a text in the Bible which speaks to parents about the training of children?

JOANNA KRANENDONK - You wrote that your three best subjects are Bible, math and reading, Bible being the first one mentioned. That is a basis for all other subjects, Joanna. Its importance was also spoken of by the psalmist when he said, “Thy word is a lamp ... and a light....”

MISS VAN ZWEDEN’S CLASS-PROVIDENCE

CHRISTIAN

SCHOOL-Thank you for your letters and answers. Since there are so many letters this time, I thought I could answer your letters with just one. Did you read your books? It was nice to be able to deliver them personally, but it would be quite difficult to do this for all the boys and girls. How many kinds of birds do you see at your feeder? Keep up the good work with your Bible studies. You have probably heard of those who search for hidden treasure, but the Bible points to treasures far greater than any other.

DAVID ELSHOUT-How is your grandmother, David? We heard that she was not well, but we hope she is feeling better again. The distance between New Jersey and the Netherlands is especially felt when a loved one is sick. In one psalter we read of “prayer, transcending distance”. Do you know what that means? ESTELLA SCHOUTEN-You wrote that you had to read a book about war, Estella. What book did you select? I know of a book about war. It’s title is “The Holy War”. Have you ever read it? It is probably not the type of book your teacher had in mind.

TARA VAN BEEK-Have you ever studied about bald eagles in school, Tara? It’s picture is on our national emblem and on certain coins, but as far as I know I have never seen one except in a zoo. The Bible also speaks quite often about the eagle. Can you think of one instance where it does so?

ANITA SCHOUTEN - Yes, Anita, the real meaning of Easter is not given much thought by many people in these days. The question for each of us is—”How important an event is it for me? Is it merely an historical event of the Bible, or does it have true value?”

KAREN WESDYK-What two texts of the Bible were indicated on the cornerstone of your new school, Karen? It will be a date that you cannot forget too easily, since it was on your birthday that the school was dedicated. How early do you leave home in the morning?

PHILIP SCHOUTEN-Did you enjoy sleeping in a tent, Philip? I can think of several in the Bible of whom it is mentioned that they lived in tents. Can you think of some? Your letter is the last one this time, Philip, since we can’t fill our section with letters only. We may again thank all the boys and girls for their replies, and hope that we may continue to hear from you each month. The Lord bless you in your studies, both in school and at home, giving you to understand and see the wonders of His hand.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

THE STUDENT’S TRICK

A young man of eighteen or twenty, a student in a university, took a walk one day with a professor, who was commonly called the student’s friend, such was his kindness to the young men whom it was his office to instruct.

While they were walking together, and the professor was seeking to lead the conversation to grave subjects, they saw a pair of old shoes lying in their path, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was at work close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work.

The young student turned to the professor, saying, “Let us play the man a trick; we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and watch to see his perplexity when he cannot find them.”

“My dear friend,” answered the professor, “we must never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and you may give yourself a much greater pleasure. Put a dollar into each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves.”

The student did so; and then placed himself with the professor behind the bushes close by, through which they could easily watch the labourer, and see what ever wonder or joy he might express.

The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path, where he had left his coat and shoes. While he put on the coat, he slipped one foot into one of his shoes; but feeling something hard, he stooped down and found the dollar. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance; he gazed upon the dollar, turned it round, and looked again and again; then he looked around him on all sides, but could see no one. Then he put the money in his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but how great was his astonishment when he found the other dollar! His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven, and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving, in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The young man stood there deeply affected, and tears filled his eyes.

“Now,” said the professor, “are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?”

“O, dearest sir,” answered the youth, “you have taught me a lesson now which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of the words which I never before understood, ‘it is better to give than to receive’.”

Young People’s Magazine

THE LITTLE SUBSTITUTE

A teacher at school had to punish one of the pupils for breaking the rules in the classroom. The punishment was that the boy who had done this was to stand for fifteen minutes in a corner of the room.

As the boy was led to the corner of the room, a little fellow much younger than he went up to the teacher and asked that he might be allowed to take the place of the other boy. The teacher agreed. The little boy went to the corner and the guilty one was permitted to return to his seat.

When the fifteen minutes were past, the teacher called the little boy to him, and asked him whether the other boy had begged him to take his place. “No, not at all,” was the reply.

“Well, don’t you think that he deserved to be punished?”

“Yes, sir; he had broken the rules, and he deserved to be punished.”

“Why did you then want to take his place and bear the punishment for him?”

The boy replied, “Sir, because he is my friend, and I love him.”

The teacher thought this a good opportunity to teach the pupils an important lesson. He asked the class, “Would it be right for me now to punish the boy who had broken the rules in the classroom?”

They all agreed that this would not be right, and said, “We have allowed Joseph to be punished in his place.”

The teacher then asked, “does this remind you of anything?”

Immediately several hands were raised, and the answer was given, “Yes it reminds us that the Lord Jesus bore the punishment for the sins of His people.”

“What name would you give to Joseph for what he has done?”

“He was a substitute.”

“What is a substitute?”

“One who takes the place of another.”

“Whose place has the Lord Jesus taken?”

“The place of sinners.”

“Joseph has told us that he wished to take his friends’s place and be punished instead of him because he loved him. Can you tell me why the Lord Jesus wished to die in the place of sinners?”

“It was because He loved them.”

“Can you quote a text in the Bible to prove this?”

A text which they had learned came quickly to their minds. It was Galatians 2:20. “The Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

May the boys and girls who read this learn to know their need of a Savior and Substitute to save them from sin and its punishment.

Adapted

I declare unto you the Gospel.. that Christ died for our sins...He was buried, and that He rose again the third day.

I Cor. 15:1, 3, 4

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