THE PRINCE of Wales, who later became King of England, was on his second visit to India. The Maharajah of Gwalia had three young lions kept in an enclosure, intending to let them go into the forests when they were fully grown.
One morning the Prince went with some of the staff to see them feed the lions. He was quite grieved when a live goat was put into the lions’ pen. For some time the young lions played with the poor frightened little creature, as if they were quite friendly, just as a cat does with a mouse. But the goat knew their sport meant death in the end and with great pluck he defended himself as best he could. But what match was a poor little goat to three powerful young lions. His doom was certain, unless someone from outside came to his rescue.
The Prince of Wales looked on with much displeasure and at length he exclaimed: “I can’t stand this any longer! He’s a plucky goat, and we must get him out somehow!”
But how! that was the question.
Now, dear reader friend, by nature we are all like that goat (Matt. 25:3333And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:33)); and are surrounded by lions, who though for a time they may play with us, nevertheless they are bent on devouring us. Can we diver ourselves? No; we are helpless. The three lions are:
THE WORLD — all its fashions and pleasures, it theaters, its games, its associations, and all its attractions. This lion first sports with us and then devours us.
THE FLESH — all the evil passions and tendencies within us, of which the Apostle Paul said: “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die.” Rom. 8:1313For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13). This is a lion close at hand.
Now just as the Prince, when he saw the goat in such a peril, said it must be rescued, so God seeing us in such peril as sinners, longed for our deliverance.
A DESIRED SALVATION: The Prince pitied the little goat: for him there was no pleasure in seeing it slain; he desired its salvation. So God desires our salvation. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezek. 33:1111Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11).
A DECREED SALVATION: “We must get him out somehow,” said the Prince. This was more than a desire. So God decreed back in the garden of Eden, when sin first came in and man fell, that the Seed of the woman should crush the serpent’s head: Christ should come to destroy Satan and his power, and set sinners free.
A DIFFICULT SALVATION: The little goat was helpless among the lions; he appeared to be their lawful prey. But once he was in, to get him out would be an extremely difficult thing. Our salvation was far more difficult. How could God save a guilty sinner and yet be just and righteous at the same time? Love found a way. The Lord Jesus said, “Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.” (Heb. 10:99Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9)). “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” John 3: 16. “They went both of them together,” (Gen. 22:66And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:6)), to Calvary, where Jesus gave Himself a ransom for us all (1 Tim. 2:55For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)). The little goat was helpless among the fierce beasts; and we still more so. But “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5: 6.
A DEVISED SALVATION: Did they get the little goat out? If so, how?
A general on the Prince’s staff suddenly had an idea. Quickly they brought a rope and made a lasso. After two or three tries, the noose dropped over the goat’s head. A lioness was already charging toward him, but too late! The goat was hoisted to safety. Like one of old he might even have said, “I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion? 2 Tim. 4:1717Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Timothy 4:17).
Supposing the Prince himself had gone in and saved the goat, but died himself in the rescue, would it have been worthwhile? Yet the Lord Jesus gave Himself and died for us—ruined, guilty hell-deserving sinners. Everlasting praise be to Him!
Was the goat given back to the lions again later? Oh no! Never! He was pensioned, and for the rest of his days wore a silver collar, recording how the Prince saved him. Could he have understood, do you think he would be ashamed of that collar? Rather would it not be his delight to display it? And shall we who are redeemed at such a cost be ashamed to tell others of our wonderful Saviour who loved us and died for us?
ML-10/16/1966