TED HAD a pair of splendid rabbits, and he was very fond of them. But one night someone opened the hutch and stole one of them. Ted felt very bad the next morning when he found that one of his prize pets was missing. After long searching he learned that his lost rabbit, along with others, was up for sale away at the other end of town. Away went Ted to claim his pet.
When he arrived at the place he saw his rabbit sure enough. He was about to carry it off, when a stern voice called out, “You can’t take that rabbit without paying for it. It’s mine!” Poor Ted ran off home again and told his father all that had happened. His father understood and gave Ted sufficient money to redeem the captive rabbit. Away ran Ted again and soon the price was paid. The rabbit was set free and restored to its original owner. How thankful and happy Ted was as he carried his pet in his arms back home again.
Does not this illustrate our condition as sinners? We all were far from God, lost, captives to Satan, “sold under sin” (Rom. 7:1414For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Romans 7:14)); and had not the Lord Jesus come Himself to reem us none would ever have been brought back to God. But this He has done, blessed be His name! He has paid redemption’s price; and O what a price!—His own precious blood. Nothing less could a holy God demand to atone for sin. “Without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22). Peter, the Apostle, tells us that we are not redeemed with silver and gold—things of great value in the eyes of men—“but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:1818Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1 Peter 1:18). “In whom we have redemption through His blood even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14). Dear young reader, have you been redeemed and brought back to God?
Ted’s carrying home his rabbit in his arms makes us think of the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15). It says: “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” Has the good Shepherd found you yet? And are you being carried home to heaven on His shoulders of strength?
ML-01/12/1969