Have you ever seen a snake? I suppose most of us have at least seen grass snakes, but I would like to tell you about one twenty feet long—a big fat one too! Down in Bolivia, in the great Andes mountains, there are huge python snakes and they are terribly dangerous. Most of the natives would run as soon as they see one.
But the snake of which I wish to tell you today was a pet. An army officer had caught one of these horrible creatures, and he decided to feed it and keep it for a pet. It had an enormous appetite and he would give it deer or other wild animals he had caught, to eat. The snake would entwine itself right around the animal, and then tighten in until it had broken every bone in the body of its prey. Then the snake would devour it.
The officer thought he could make an easy living out of this snake, so he taught it to entwine itself around him, and since it was tame it would not harm its master. He would gather large crowds to see him acting with this snake, and he collected a great deal of money from these “shows.” He would stand in front of the crowd and let the monster entwine itself around him, and then the stage curtain would drop. At this moment he would give a great shriek, which gave the people quite a thrill. He would, of course, be perfectly safe, but many would cry out in terror, while others would applaud. This pleased his vanity considerably.
One time he did it in the usual way, and this time it seemed like a better “act” than ever before. He shrieked and shrieked, and the crowd laughed and applauded more than ever. But soon the shrieks ceased—the terrible monster had done to him what it had done to hundreds of animals before. It had broken all his bones and he died an awful death.
Dear children, this great python snake is like Satan. You see him dragging others down in paths of sin, but you think he will not do it to you. You may be having a “good time,” as you call it, while others are laughing and applauding you. You want thrills and Satan gives them to you in your sins, but remember, if you keep on, you will play with sin and Satan too long. Satan is seeking to lead your poor lost soul down into hell for eternity, and unless you turn to the Lord Jesus he will succeed in his plan.
You cannot save yourself, any more than that army officer could free himself from the clutches of his pet snake. You cannot put away one sin, nor free yourself from your pet sins. But the Lord Jesus bore the judgment of sin on Calvary that you might be cleansed from all your sins in His most precious blood. Now, as a risen Saviour, He offers salvation, a new life, new power, and a new affection — all you need in Him. He will set you free today, if you come to Him.
ML 02/14/1954