Hatchet Jack's Rifle

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-7 ESV).

 

Robert Redford played the role of Jeremiah Johnson in the movie by that name. It has long been one of my favorites in the genre. The picture I’ve included with today’s devotional is John Johnston’s Hawken and Bowie knife, displayed at the Cody Arms Museum. John Johnston was the real historical figure the movie “Jeremiah Johnson” was based upon. It’s hard to separate truth from myth. We know he was born John Garrison in Little York, New Jersey in 1824. He went to sea, then later enlisted in and deserted from the Navy during his service in the war with Mexico. At some point he went west, where he fought Indians with the Army, trapped, traded, mined and sold whiskey and was a deputy sheriff. Legends grew up around him. The character in the movie is presented in somewhat of a better light than history. There is one scene that sticks in my mind. He is wandering through the rugged mountains, nearly starving because he did not have an adequate weapon. He stumbles on the frozen body of “Hatchet Jack” leaning against a tree in the snow with the .50 caliber Hawken still clutched in his hands. The note penned by Hatchet Jack says: “I, Hatchet Jack, being of sound mind and broke legs, do hereby leaveth my bear rifle to whatever finds it, Lord hope it be a white man. It is a good rifle, and killt the bear that killt me. Anyway, I am dead. Yours truly, Hatchet Jack.” Taking the rifle it become Johnson’s salvation.

 

Our reading today is so clear. Paul says we were dead before the grace of God brought us life. As good as that rifle might have been, Hatchet Jack was still dead. Whatever we might think of our possessions, power, or position, none of these things can bring life. That only comes from God in the grace won by Jesus Christ. By Him comes life. Is it time for you to accept this life as the gift God desires it to be? Jesus “killt the bear” called death so that we could never fear it again!