Tony was one of the best-liked teachers in our kids’ junior high school. And one summer day when he was helping me paint our house, I learned a lot about his background – a lot that was very surprising. Tony told me that he grew up in a very tough neighbourhood that was sharply divided into ethnic groups – and ethnic gangs. And he was a fighter – most of the guys in his neighbourhood were. He told me, “Five of my good friends died violently in just two months.” Two more of his gang friends are serving prison terms. I said,

“Tony, how did you ever get out of all that? How’d you end up doing so well?”

His answer blew me away.

When Tony told me what had made the difference, he did something I’ve never seen him do before – there were tears in his eyes. He said, “One of those friends who died was my best friend. There was a gang fight one night . . . One guy was coming behind me with a blade. It was intended for me. But my friend stepped in front of it. My friend took my knife – and that changed the course of my whole life.”

Then it was my turn for tears. I said, “Tony, maybe you can understand why I try to live my life for Jesus Christ – same reason. My Friend Jesus took my knife – and realizing that has changed the course of my whole life.” I Peter 2:24 says, “He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” Now the “He” in this verse is Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son. I should have gotten the knife of God’s judgment – after all, I should have to pay for the sinning I’ve done. But Jesus stepped in and took my knife. And your knife.

Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.

Thanks to Daily Wisdom Majordomo@gospelcom.net