Flurry and Violet were two young parakeets that had recently become the new family pets. They were friendly little birds that liked to fly around the house or perch on the children’s shoulders. On nice days the birds enjoyed being carried outdoors in their cage to bask in the warm sunshine and answer other bird calls.
One lovely day the birds were outside enjoying the sunshine, but Flurry was not content to be in his cage. Perhaps he heard the wild birds calling or maybe he saw them flying among the trees and wanted to join them. Flurry began to look for a way to escape, and he soon found one! He pecked at his seed bin until it fell out onto the ground. Then he squeezed through the hole left in the cage and flew away to freedom.
A little later that afternoon the weather began to change. Big dark clouds rolled in, thunder rumbled, the wind picked up and rain began to fall. Flurry had never before been in these outdoor conditions, and the little bird became frightened. He flew deeper into the woods, huddled down on a branch, and fluffed up his feathers to keep warm.
Did you know that all people, even boys and girls, have been lost in this sinful, dark world? The Bible says we have all gone our own way and gotten lost, just like Flurry. God’s Word, the Bible, says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him [the Lord Jesus] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). Thankfully, God in His mercy did not leave us to wander lost, in our sins and away from Him. He loves us and so He sent His Son to find us: “The Son of Man [the Lord Jesus] is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)).
When Jane came home from school and discovered that her beloved pet was missing, she raced to the woods, forgetting even to put on her shoes. She called and called for Flurry and soon heard an answer coming from deep in the woods. She ran through the underbrush, over fallen logs and through swampy areas thick with mosquitoes until she found her little lost bird. Still calling softly and gently to Flurry, Jane and her big brother were able to reach the frightened bird and return him to the safety of his cage and back to the warmth and shelter of the family’s home.
Have you ever heard the soft and tender voice of Jesus calling you? Have you ever thought of what the Lord Jesus had to go through to be able to save you and me?
None of the ransomed
[saved ones] ever knew,
How deep were the
waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night
that the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep
that was lost.
The Lord Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)). The Lord Jesus loved us so much He gave His life on the cross of Calvary in order to save sinners like you and me. His blood was shed for us: “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). Won’t you come to Him while He is still calling you? Admit to Him you are a sinner and receive His free gift of salvation. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
ML-02/11/2001