IT WAS a cold and stormy Sunday afternoon and we were glad to be close to a large, cheerful fire. Just one buttered slice of bread with jam on it remained, and mother, looking out of the window, suddenly thought of the little feathered citizens—the birds—who lived in her garden. They surely would appreciate a feast of butter and jam on bread. So it was carefully broken up and spread under a tree in our view.
At first fear caused most of the feathered family to hurry away, though impelled by their hunger they soon returned to nearby positions, for doubt and mistrust seem to fill every feathered breast. Then two grandfather thrushes warily flew on to a branch immediately overhanging the feast, and solemnly began to discuss the strange matter. How long this state of affairs might have lasted would be hard to tell, had not that rank outsider “Second-cousin blackbird” come boldly hopping up and seizing a morsel of bread, flew away as if all the cats in the kingdom were after him! He was too frightened to take more, and when all his relations descended upon him to see what he had got, he nearly lost his morsel through sheer dismay!
Encouraged by his example the rest of the family cautiously tried in turn, and those who were not too overcome by fear and doubt, each obtained a morsel. But “Baby Tit” and “Robin” wanted the feast so much, that in spite of their mother’s warnings, they each had plenty of bread, butter and jam!
The birds were unhappy because they were hungry. There was a feast provided to make them happy, but through doubt and fear of being the first to try, some of them missed the feast entirely. Those who did venture were satisfied, and the little ones seemed to get most because they were too young to fear and only old enough to trust.
God has provided a feast of love and joy in His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross for sinners. God sends out His invitation: “Behold, I have prepared my dinner:... and all things are ready: come.” Matt. 22:44Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. (Matthew 22:4). All who put their trust in Jesus are cleansed from their sins in His blood and made perfectly fit for God’s presence. The Lord Jesus Himself says, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger.” He is the bread which alone can feed that new life He gives to those who are “born again” by faith in Him. In His goodness He has prepared a happy home for them in the glory.
Have you accepted God’s provision for your sins by trusting in the Lord Jesus and now find joy and satisfaction in Him? Or are you like some of those little birds who through doubt and fear of what their friends were thinking, missed out on the feast and went hungry?
ML-05/13/1962