TSALI - AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE GOSPEL

A historical marker on the court house lawn at Bryson City, NC reads:"Tsali, Cherokee brave, surrendered to General Scott to be shot near here,1838, that remnant of tribe might remain in N.C." 

The thrilling story of Tsali highlights "Unto These Hills," America's most popular outdoor drama. In 1838, 17,000 Cherokee Indians were forced by General Winfield Scott to struggle on foot from Western North Carolina to Oklahoma. More than 4,000 died on that terrible "Trail of Tears." Some 1,000 Cherokees,however, had hidden in the Great Smoky Mountains.In the conflict before that cruel removal, Tsali's wife had been murdered by a drunken United States soldier. As a result, Tsali and some of his family killed the soldier. To avoid capture they escaped into the depth's of America's largest forest.

General Scott made a proposal which was carried to Tsali by a trusted friend. It

stated that if Tsali and those involved in the soldier's death would surrender to

be shot, the remainder of the tribe could stay in the beautiful land of their birth.

After days of anguish, Tsali, with his kinsmen walked unescorted into Bushnell to

face certain death. What brought him? White soldiers could never have found

him in his cave near Clingman's Dome. Despite a burning desire to live, his love

for his people brought him there to die. The rifles rang out - three brave Indians

died. A thousand Cherokees were free to remain in the great Smokies. 

Tsali's love and sacrifice for the sake of his tribesmen is unsurpassed in American

Indian history. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life

                                                                                 for his friends." (John 15:13)

Just like the Cherokees of 1838, each of us face a huge problem. We are told

many times in the Bible that God is holy. We, however, have all disobeyed God.

We have all sinned. (Romans 3:23). The great question is, "how can a sinful man

face a Holy God?" How can we escape hell and reach heaven?

God, in His wonderful grace, has provided a way for us. He commands all men

everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30). This involves changing our minds about sin,

turning from our evil ways and receiving God's forgiveness. All through the Old

Testament, animals such as bulls, lambs, and goats were offered as a sacrifice

for sinner man. They all picture (as does Tsali) a substitute dying for the benefit

of someone else. Tsali, in love for his suffering people, willingly offered himself as

a sacrifice. Likewise, Christ in love for us poor guilty sinners, gave Himself as our

substitute and sacrifice, and willingly died for us. This was prophesied many

times in the Old Testament. For example, in Isaiah 53 we have many details of

one who was to be "wounded for our transgressions." The New Testament

confirms this truth in numerous places. "Christ...suffered for sins, the just for the

unjust, that He might bring us unto God." (I Peter 3:18). Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures (Old Testament prophecies), He was buried and rose

again on the third day, according to the scriptures. (I Corinthians 15:3,4).

By dying for us, Christ provided a way of deliverance from a worse fate than the

terrible Trail of Tears. Hell is described as an eternal lake of fire where there is

continual weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Our Lord made provisions for

an eternal home far more beautiful than the Great Smoky Mountains. He invites

us to turn from our sins and trust (receive, believe, have faith in) Him. If we do

this, God forgives our sins and receives us as children into His holy family. 
(John 1:12).

Dear Friend, will you respond to this wonderful invitation, receive the Lord Jesus

Christ as your personal Saviour, and meet me in heaven some day?

By Clayton Davis - Maggie Valley, NC