This
is a modern story about a boy who had a dream about a room, which was filled
with filing cabinets. The cabinets were
labeled and filled with small index cards.
These cards illustrated every moment of his life in detail. Under headings like, “Girls I have liked” or
“Music I have listened too”. Some of the
files were very secretive and shameful, “Lustful thoughts”, or “Things I have
done in my anger”. Each card was signed
with his signature. He slowly began to
read the cards, realizing exactly what he has done in his life, sometimes
feeling disgraceful. When he tries to
destroy the cards, he realizes that they are imperishable. Beginning to cry, he notices the last person
he wants to see, Jesus Christ. Jesus
then comes over to him and signs over his name in rich, red blood. Once Jesus had finished writing his name he
stated “It is finished” and leads him out of the room.
This
story is illustrating the most amazing thing that Jesus Christ did. He died on the cross, to pay for all the sins
of people. This relates greatly to
Christianity. Christians believe that
Jesus died on the cross in order to bridge the gap between God and us. Humans are sinners and without the grace of
God, and the death of Jesus we would not be able to go to heaven. Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and
this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Jesus willing died to pay for our sins in order that
we can be “saved” or receive salvation.
In
the story when Jesus writes his name over top of the boy’s name it is showing
how he has put the blame on himself. He
took the punishment of our sins (which is death) when he died on the
cross. Before Jesus died, people would
sacrifice a flawless lamb in order to receive forgiveness of their sins, but
once Jesus came, it wasn’t necessary anymore, because he was the most perfect
sacrifice. Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after
day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed
for their sins once for all when he offered himself. This depiction of Jesus
writing his name over the boy’s in blood is showing that Jesus was willing to
take the blame for whatever it was that the boy did.
This story
also shows us that he did not have to worry about what he had done in his life
because Jesus basically said, “I did it” when he wrote his name over his. This means that we do not need to feel shame,
because Jesus will heal us from the burden of our sins. Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and
you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their
sins." With
his sacrifice and his blood shed, we do not need to pay. That is why in the story Jesus wrote his name
in his blood. His death paid for our
sins, and gave us salvation. 1Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for
righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. His sacrifice also brought us closer to God,
and enabled us to go to heaven. Ephesians
The story also illustrates another important aspect of Christianity, God’s love. “He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.” This part of the story is showing how Jesus cares for us, and for the boy. Jesus cried with the boy because the boy felt guilt and Jesus had sympathy for him. After those lines in the story Jesus then signs his name on the cards, showing that he not only has sympathy for us but also has actions to prove his love. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus also shows sorrow when reading the cards. “I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.” This shows that God cares about what we are doing in our lives, because he loves us.
Another
thing that I personally really like about this story,
is just the fact that God knows everything about us. Each aspect of his life was recorded and
remembered. “ I
shuddered at its detailed content. I
felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.” God knows everything about us, and he
remembers everything. Matthew
This
story is also very inspiring for me, it makes me want
to be a better witness for God. The boy
in the story has a file titled “People I Have Shared the Gospel With”. The
boy’s box was described in the story, “The handle was brighter than those
around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not
more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it
contained on one hand.” This inspires me
because I do not want to have my “file” be described like the boy’s. I want mine to be used, worn, and packed
full of cards.
As
I child this story was read to me often and each time I would learn something
new from it, or be even more amazed at the power of God. Knowing Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s love, and His
knowledge have really helped me in my life, and this story is a perfect
illustration of those three things.
“The
Room” http://www.christianhomesite.com/email/theroom.html
(
Harris
Joshua. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine © Copyright New Attitude 1995
The Student Bible, N.I.V. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996