Many, many years ago there lived a young and very happy couple. The young man was a blacksmith and his name was Dan, Dan Fredrickson. He was engaged to marry a beautiful young woman named Isabel. Soon the couple was married and they began their lives with great dreams of living happily ever after into their old age.
With the passing of time, a baby boy arrived in the humble home of the couple. The mother insisted on calling the boy, Dan, like his father, because, like his father, his shiny black hair glistened like the sun. The father gave in to the wishes of his beloved wife although a little tear formed in his eyes while he thought about the future.
The child grew while the years flew by. But from a very young age, little Dan fell into very bad company. In spite of the love and the good upbringing of his parents, little Dan became a shameless ruffian. At only 17 years of age, little Dan gathered up all of his few possessions and left home.
The next few years were filled with sadness and pain for the loving couple. The two became gray-haired from so much worry. And unexpectedly, Isabel got sick and died. With great weeping and deep anguish, the simple blacksmith laid his wife to rest in a cold, lonely grave.
However, Dan the son continued in his wicked ways. One day a trusted friend knocked on the father’s door late into the night. Upon entering, the neighbor informed Dan that he had received horrible news of his son’s misconduct. Knowing the delicate condition of his friend, he tried to tell him about the great tragedy that had happened. In a distant town, Dan Jr. had raped a young woman and murdered her. The whole town was in an uproar and was looking for the young man to lynch him.
Immediately, the loving father knew what he needed to do. Solemnly, he thanked his friend of many years and hastened to say goodbye to him. As soon as the door was closed, Dan ran to the kitchen. He reached into the lard can and scooped up a handful of lard. As he ran to his forge, he savagely rubbed lard into his gray hair. Arriving at the forge where he had spent years in his toil, he reached into the chimney and scraped his hands on the thick, black soot. Without thinking twice, he rubbed the soot into his greasy hair.
As fast as he could, he saddled up his faithful mare and whispered softly in her ear. “Come on, old Esmerelda, let’s take one more trip. You have served me well for many years, do not fail me now.” The faithful horse neighed and stamped her feet in response to her master’s request. Within moments, she was running like the wind as her gentle master urged her on.
After two hours, they covered the 14 miles to reach the distant town. Dan dismounted from the mare as she snorted for breath. Her skin was lathered with sweat. Tenderly Dan caressed the neck of the old horse. He thanked her for her final service. He slapped her hips as he whistled and ordered her, “Get away, Esmerelda. Go home. Goodbye my faithful friend!”
The town was in an uproar. Men with their pistols and shotguns walked everywhere preparing a vigilante band. But, in the confusion, some noted the strange man walking slowly towards them. Watching this spectacle, several began to say, “He looks like the guy!” Others responded, “Yes! Here comes the miserable rapist and murderer!” Demanding attention, the head vigilante yelled suspiciously, “Who are you?” The humble blacksmith stood up firmly and raised his voice with the strength that only love can produce and said, “I am Dan, Dan Fredrickson.” One woman groaned, “That was his name!” Within moments the horde of people were shouting, pointing fingers, and reaching for their weapons. Women screamed as they tried to gather their children to protect them from what was about to happen. First some, and then others of the men seized their weapons. The cries of “Murderer, rapist!” grew louder and stronger. In less than two minutes, a crazed citizen grabbed his rope and flung it over the branch of a tall tree. It was easy to understand what was going to happen.
Dan stood his ground, though he was trembling on the inside. They grabbed him and dragged him to the cursed tree. Some hit him with their pistols. Others beat him with their fists. His hat was stomped under the feet of the crowd and blood dripped from his broken nose. Even the boys who ran away from their mothers joined in the madness by throwing stones at the poor man. Shouting and cursing, they put the hangman’s noose around his neck. And faster than I can tell it, the rope tightened under the weight of the loving father. Within moments, the unruly crowd had taken the man’s life.
After what seemed like an eternity, the boisterous crowd of people calmed down. Meanwhile, no one had seen the dark clouds that covered the skies. At last, a loud thunderclap broke the stillness. Everyone raised their eyes to see the first drops of rain that began to fall. It was all interrupted by a child’s voice as he said, “Mama, look!” One by one, gasps arose. Silently, everyone watched as raindrops fell on the dead man’s body still hanging suspended from the tree. Little by little, the rain began to reveal the truth. Soot and lard pooled and slowly ran down the battered man’s face. Everyone started to cry as they understood. The father suffered the ravages of the crowd to die in place of his rebellious son. Without comment, everyone hugged their own relatives and hurried away from the cold rain.
My friend, this is what your heavenly Father has done for you and me. He paid the debt of your sins and mine. What will be your reaction today to His incredible love?
