Another Good Story, Hope you like it!

[WizardofOwls]

Hello all!

I found this in something I read once and liked it very much. I thought I'd share it with you! Hope you like it too!

He Took My Licking
By A. C. Dixon

Years ago there was a certain school in the mountains of Virginia which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers resigned.
A young teacher applied for the job, and the old director scanned him, then said, "Young fellow, do you know what you are asking? An awful beatin! Every teacher we have had for years has had to take it." He replied, "I'll risk it."
Finally, he appeared for duty. One big fellow, named Tom, whispered, "I won't need any help, I can lick him myself!" The teacher said, "Good morning, boys! We have come to conduct school, but I confess I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I will write them on the blackboard."
One fellow yelled, "No stealing!" Another yelled, "On time." Finally ten rules appeared.
"Now," said the teacher, "a law is no good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?" One boy called out, "Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on." "That is pretty severe, boys. Are you ready to stand by it?" They all agreed, and the teacher said, "School will come to order!"
In a day or so, "Big Tom" found his dinner was stolen. Upon inquiry the thief was located - a hungry little fellow, about ten. The next morning the teacher announced, "We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule - ten stripes across the back! Jim, come up here!"
The little fellow, trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to the neck and pleaded, "Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please don't make me take my coat off." "Take that coat off: you helped make the rules." the teacher replied.
"Oh, teacher don't make me!" He began to unbutton his coat, and what did the teacher behold! Lo, the lad had no shirt on, but strings for bracers over his little bony body.
"How can I whip this child," thought the teacher. "But I must do something if I keep this school." Everything was quiet as death. "How come you to be without a shirt, Jim?" He replied, "My father died and mother is very poor. I have only one shirt to my name, and she is washing that today, and I wore my brother's big coat to keep warm."
The teacher with rod in hand hesitated. Just then "Big Tom" jumped to his feet and said, "Teacher, if you don't object, I will take Jim's licking for him." "Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?" Off came Tom's coat and after five hard strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands and thought, "How can I finish this awful task?" Then he heard the entire school sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. "Tom, I am sorry I stole your dinner, but I was awul hungry. Tom, I'll love you till I die for taking my licking for me. Yes, I'll love you forever!"
This story is an illustration of what Jesus did for us by taking our punishment for our sins on the cross. Have you believed in Jesus to take your licking for your sins for you?

[Elspeth]

Thanks for sharing Wizard! It's strange we grow up with the story of Christ's sacrifice and yet it is still so hard to comprehend. Stories like this and movies like The Passion really help to bring it home and yet, it still is almost too much to conprehend.

[Siobhan Blues]

Good story, good story... thanks for sharing.

I think the motivation behind Christ's suffering instead of us was brought home to me when I had children... that was when I first felt the compelling urge to spare my children pain, humiliation or sadness and would have willingly taken their place in the situation.

Its also when I got a grasp on what God might have felt in watching His son suffer.