’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bidden, good folk?” he cried, “Who’ll start the bidding for me? “A dollar—a dollar—then two, only two— “Two dollars, and who’ll make it three? “Going for three”—but no— From the room far back, a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow, Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening the loosened strings, He played a melody pure and sweet As a caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said, “Now what am I bid for the old violin?” And he held it up with the bow. “A thousand dollars—and who’ll make it two? “Two thousand—and who’ll make it three? “Three thousand once—three thousand twice— “And going—and gone,” cried he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We do not understand. “What changed its worth?” Quick came the reply, “The touch of the Master’s hand.” And many a man with life out of tune, And battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage”—a glass of wine, A game—and he travels on: He is going once—and going twice— He’s going—and almost gone! But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought By the touch of the Master’s hand. By Myra Brooks The Master’s hand is the only hand that can transform the soul. This very moment the Lord Jesus Christ is waiting to turn your darkness into day, your sorrow into joy. Hear His call: “Come now, and let us reason together... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). Have more wonderful words ever been spoken? God wants to cleanse your life from sin and give you a new life of hope and joy. He does not ask you to change your life yourself. He asks you to come to Him just as you are. His Word promises: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). But first you must trust totally upon God’s mercy. You cannot depend on your “good works” to gain entrance into Heaven. For before God we are all sinners. “There is none righteous, no, not one... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). There is only one way, one door through which we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). Jesus made the way for you and me by dying on the cross for our sins: “He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). You can receive the risen, victorious Lord Jesus Christ by faith now. Why hold back any longer? Come to the Master today.