Mary (John's friend) eagerly
invites John to for her eighteenth birthday."Mary that would be so
wonderful" John said, but I am on guard duty ( Johnworked for the
army) all month. If I'm, not on duty that day you can be sureI'll be
there"
"Oh, I do hope you can come. Can't you
exchange with someone for a night?"John left thinking about how he
could work it out. John had a good friend at camp named Fredric
Sheppard. John and Fredrick spent many evenings together reading or
discussing things. Fred was a religious boy and wanted to win John
to Christ.
John did not oppose his approaches, for Fred always seemed to know
how to talk to him, especially when he was moody and needed help.
John checked his schedule and sure enough his name was on Friday
duty and sure enough he requested Fred and Fred took his place. John
was very grateful to his unselfish friend. "I can't thank you
enough, Fred.But are you sure you can do this?"
John sat for a long time thinking of how kind Fred had been and of
how he must repay him in some way. John arrived at the birthday
party. Mary was wearing a beautiful new dresswhich her aunt had
given her. Her eyes sparkled with delight when she saw John. After
the refreshments were served, the gifts were brought out. John gave
her a beautiful silver up.The evening was soon over and it was time
for John to leave.
He goes
over to Mary "I must leave now "Oh I should tell you how I was able
to come. Myfriend, Fredrick Sheppard, from near Worcester, is standing
guard for me to night""Fredrick Sheppard? I know him. He
lived not far from us once. He's a fine Christian. You must thank
him for me, too" John slipped into his bed and soon fell asleep.
During the night the Royalist guards made a
raid. Some Royalist soldiers were killed and one Parliamentary
guard, Fredrick Sheppard. John broke into sobs when he heard the
news. "How can it be, how can it be?" he cried. "He died for me; he
was on duty in my place ! Had it not been for him, I'd have been a
corpse myself this very morning." "Possibly true, John" said Captain
Miles, the Commander, "And have you stopped to think that there was
another - Jesus Christ who once took your place ? He, too died for
you, John. He was your Savior." "Yes, I
know Fred often talked to me about Him. I've wanted to serve Him, too, but I am so wicked at
heart," John sobbed out his sorry. "I'm trying to break off sinning, and
I mean to serve him," John said. Fred had no clue what would happen
to him, when he accepted to stand in the place of John. But my Lord
Jesus Christ knew exactly what would happen to him when he came to
the earth and when the replaced ME on the cross. John 15:3 Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends What a friend we have in Jesus......
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