“A LOVE STORY”
The good news of Jesus Christ and his love  

Shamuel was a Caucasian prince living a couple of hundred years ago.

His people seemed to be involved in constant war with the Turks. Once he besieged a Turkish city with his army. As usual his mother accompanied him. One night he planned a surprise assault, but the enemy was lying in wait. His secret plans had been betrayed. The battle was lost.

Distressed, Shamuel announced that the traitor, when caught, would be punished with 100 lashes of a whip. In great secrecy another attack was planned - but the result was the same. They had been betrayed again.

But this time the traitor was caught. It was Shamuel’s mother.

In anguish he withdrew to his tent for three days and nights. What should he do? What would be the right thing to do? If he were to spare his mother, all could rightly claim justice to be governed by expediency.

Were he to punish her, however, all would say: ‘Look at that merciless and cruel man! He does not even show pity for his own mother!’

At last he appeared. His men gathered around him curiously.

Then he addressed them: ‘We lost two battles because of treason. We lost many a man as a result of this. I find no excuse for the traitor.

The crime was committed, and so punishment shall be executed according to my law with 100 lashes! Righteousness and justice must be upheld!’

His mother was led into the circle. She was pale, trembling with fear.

The executioner lifted his whip—but before the first lash came down on her, Shamuel cried: ‘Hang on! This is my mother; I am of her flesh and blood. I will take the punishment for her!’

He went into the circle, took off his garment and commanded: “Executioner, dare not strike more lightly than with the last prisoner. Do your duty!”

Lash after lash came down, until he broke down unconscious … and against expectation Shamuel did survive his ordeal.

Will we ever know how his mother felt about what she had caused to her son? She must have been overcome by shame, wonder and love at her son’s behaviour.

And Dear Muslim friend, this is the love of God that he would die on the cross for us while we were yet sinners … and pay our complete debt we owe to God … past, present and future sins all paid for. We have eternal salvation in heaven because of Jesus shed blood on the cross.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Harley Hitchcock

www.
AustralianBibleMinistries
.com

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