Dean was eleven years old and lived on a farm in Oakland County near Detroit. He was also the proud possessor of three beautiful Shetland ponies. During the summer hardly a day went by when he wasn’t out riding them.
One winter day a snowmobile broke down the farm fence which kept the ponies in, and the three headed for the open spaces. The County sheriff’s deputies finally rounded up the runaways and brought them to the Oakland County Animal Shelter. There they were cared for and their board bill ran up to $400. Then it was decided to sell the animals at an auction. The District County Judge took charge of the sale.
Poor Dean had learned the fate of his three lost pets, and knew that if ever he was to claim them again, he must redeem them at the auctioneer’s price. He worked hard at scrubbing floors and saved his money. The day of the sale he headed for the auction, taking along his entire savings of $75 in hopes of buying back his beloved pets.
The judge opened the sale. “Do I hear a bid of $30. for this pony?” he began.
At once a boy’s voice sounded out: “Thirty dollars? That’s too much. Start at $25.!” It was Dean.
Surprised at such an interruption the judge asked the boy, “Are you bidding?”
“Yes,” sobbed Dean; “they’re my ponies.”
The bidding was halted while the judge hastily consulted with the director of the Animal Shelter. They agreed to offer all three ponies as one deal.
The judge opened the bidding again, but only one bidder’s voice was heard. The rest were silent. After hearing the boy’s story, no one would bid against him. They all listened silently while the three ponies were auctioned for $75. All felt compensated in seeing the boy’s happiness in being reunited with his loved ponies again.
Dear young friend, we were all like those ponies. We really bonged to God because He made us. But we were lost, captives to sin, gone far from Him and in bondage to Satan. Then just as Dean loved those ponies and gave all he had to buy them back, so the Lord Jesus loved us with a far more wonderful love and gave all He had—His life—to redeem us. Those whom He has redeemed with His precious blood He has set free, to be His treasure, to follow and serve Him down here, and be with Him in the glory forever.
I am redeemed... but not with silver;
I am bought... but not with gold;
Bought with a price... the blood of Jesus,
Precious price of love untold.
ML-01/13/1980