The Silent Witness

Carl and Benny were friends. They had many good times together. But when one got into trouble, they both got into trouble!

One day they went to the shoe repair shop. Carl needed new heels put on his boots. On the way home, Benny told Carl, "There's a peach tree behind Mr. Brown's shop. Let's go over and get some tonight."

"That wouldn't be right," Carl said. Yet, his mouth watered for the peaches. "That would be stealing, wouldn't it?"

"Oh we won't take very many, just enough to eat. Let's do it after dark."

"But suppose we get caught? My mom wouldn't like it," said Carl.

Benny laughed. "Oh, we won't get caught. Don't worry about it. I've got a plan."

It was dark when the boys reached the peach tree. They picked a bucket full of peaches and escaped to an old barn. When they got there, Carl was feeling very uneasy. "Benny, we are thieves," he said.

"But no one saw us,"Benny replied.

"That doesn't matter. We know what we did. Just because others didn't see us doesn't change the fact that we stole these peaches. We are still guilty."

"So, what are you going to do about it now?" Benny asked. "You stole them."

"I am going to tell Mr. Brown I'm sorry."

Benny called Carl a quitter and other names. However, Carl stuck by his decision. Early the next morning, he entered Mr. Brown's shop carrying the peaches.

"Hello, Carl," the shoe repairman said. "What can I do for you today?"

"I have some peaches here---."

"So you brought back the peaches you stole," Mr. Brown said. "Where's Benny?"

Carl's mouth dropped open. "Who told you what we did last night?" he finally said.

"A silent witness," Mr. Brown said. He led Carl into the backyard and knelt down under the peach tree. "See those tracks. They are the same as your boots and Benny's. I repaired his last week. So, I was pretty sure you stole my peaches. Would you find Benny? I want to talk to you two."

Carl found Benny and told him what had happened. In fear they went to the repair shop.

Mr. Brown welcomed them. He said, "Boys, the devil has tricked you. He makes sin and wrong actions seem like fun. 'Cheat in school, steal money from your mother's purse,' Satan whispers, 'she'll never know. Just lie to her. It's easy.'"

"The Bible tells us that 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). The devil tells us that we are good people. But he's a liar. Romans 3:12b says, 'There is none who does good, no, not one' and, 'The wages of sin is death'"(Romans 6:23).

"God has a wonderful gift for you. He loved us so much that He sent His Son to be our Saviour. The Lord Jesus took your punishment by dying for your sins. But you have to accept Him. Romans 6:23 says, 'The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' When you ask the Lord Jesus into your lives, He gives you the gift of eternal. Won't you invite Him in?"

Benny and Carl nodded their heads. Mr. Brown suggested that they pray like this: "Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I have done wrong things and that I am a sinner. I want to change. I realize that you died for my sins. I invite You into my life to be my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for Your gift of eternal life."

Reader, if you prayed like this (or want to), why not let us know so that we can help you further?