A CROWD had gathered on the shore, and, as is usual, others were attracted. As we drew near we made our way through the outer edge, and were able to look over the heads of a number of boys and girls who were intently watching a great serpent which the showman had in his hands. The terrible-looking creature was curled around his arms and neck.
It was a venomous snake, one whose bite was of the deadliest. But the man seemed to have charmed it, for though it shot out its forked tongue and touched him, it seemed quite harmless; the man suffered no evil effects. Most of the onlookers were amazed and puzzled; some were frightened, and many and various were the remarks made.
At last, one clever little fellow cried out, “Oh! I know why it can’t hurt. It’s got no sting!” That was the answer. The sting, or venom, had been removed, and the reptile was rendered quite harmless.
“The sting of death is sin,” we learn from 1 Corinthians 15:5656The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:56). If man could only extract the sting, death would no longer be a terrible fear. But who can extract the deadly poison? We cannot.
The Lord Jesus Christ has removed it already for all who are His. In Him, “we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” He has borne sin’s curse: “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24). And so death shall be swallowed up in victory.
If death comes to one who believes in Christ, its terrors are gone; it is only falling asleep in Jesus. It has no sting. The Bible tells us of Satan, that old serpent, the devil, and that he wields the power of death. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:88He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8). He overcame him in His death and resurrection, and now Satan is a defeated foe to those who put their trust in Jesus. Oh, that your trust might be in Him too, dear young reader.
ML-12/20/1964