A FRIEND of mine was in Ireland, and saw a little Irish boy who had caught a sparrow. The poor little bird was trembling and panting in his hand, and wanted to get away. It was evidently very much frightened. The gentleman told the boy to let it go, as the bird could not do him any good. But the boy said he would not let it go for he had been chasing it for three hours before he could catch it.
The gentleman then offered to buy the bird, and the boy agreed to a price, which was paid. He took the poor bird and held it out on his palm, where it sat for a time, scarcely able to realize the fact that it was free, But at last it flew away, chirping, as if to say to the gentleman, “you have redeemed me.”
That is an illustration of what is meant by redemption. Satan is stronger than any man upon earth, and there is no match for him but Christ. Christ Jesus—the lion of the tribe of Judah—is stronger than the lion of hell. When on Calvary He cried, “It is finished!” it was the cry of the Victor. He came to redeem sinners by His death. Sinner friend are you redeemed?
ML-08/26/1962