"Feed My Lambs": A Special Boy and a Special Dog

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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Ted was a lively boy with a broad, quick smile and a happy attitude, which won him many friends. When he was about nine years old, his dad’s employer transferred him, and Ted’s family had to move to a new home. Though he tried not to let anyone know it, Ted felt sad and lonely after the move.
One day soon after the move, Ted’s grandma took him shopping for some new clothes for his birthday. On the way they passed a pet store which had several puppies in the window. As he went inside to pet them, his grandma saw the old, familiar smile shining on his face once again.
That evening at supper, Ted’s dad and mom heard all about the puppies and his wish to have a dog. After talking it over, it was decided that he could go to the store the next day to pick out a puppy.
Ted excitedly said, “I already know just the dog I want, but it’s not one of them. I saw this note and this is the one I want.” The note, with a phone number, simply read, “Dog Needs Special Home.”
The next day after being gone about an hour, Ted and his dad returned. Everyone who was waiting expected to see the car door fly open and a dog followed by a boy come tumbling out.
Instead the door opened slowly and Ted carefully and gently lifted a cute Dalmatian puppy out, tenderly placing it on the ground. Its tail constantly wagged and its tongue never seemed to stop trying to lick Ted. Reaching down, he put on a leash and quietly said, “Come on fella.”
Ten minutes later, the two had still not made it to the front porch where everyone was standing, watching. As the two companions explored the yard, Grampa, with tears in his eyes, said, “That note should have read ‘Dog Needs a Special Boy’!”
The little Dalmatian puppy, now contentedly searching the yard with his new master, had been born missing one of his legs just like Ted, who had been born missing a foot.
The Lord Jesus left heaven to come to this world in order to save those who are lost in sin a far worse problem than a puppy born with only three legs or a boy born with one foot. (See Romans 3:23; 5:1223For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12).) In order to be able to be our Saviour, Jesus had to become like us, and so He was born a little baby in Bethlehem. But there is one very important difference: He was perfect. He never had a bad, sinful nature like we do, nor did He ever do any sin; He always pleased God. (See Hebrews 4:1515For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15); John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29).)
But because He became like us, the Lord Jesus knows exactly what it’s like to live in this world. Christians can always go to Him to get help with problems. He understands and knows exactly how we feel. What a wonderful “friend we have in Jesus”!
Ed.