That Old Rugged Cross

A gift from Sherry

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?

~There Is Always Room At The Foot Of That Old Cross~

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