1 Peter 5:17-21 And if
you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds,
conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that
you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not
with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood
of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown
before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for
the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from
the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Once upon a time there was this little boy on a farm, working
hard and melting in the sun on this hot July day. All he could think about was
what he saw in town the day before when they brought all the corn to the town
and sold it at the market. He saw people celebrating, cooking food, playing
ball, and fireworks - he especially loved the fireworks.
Well, the boy had to work for his families farm, money was tight
and they couldn't afford to take the holiday off when so many people would pay
top dollar for their fresh corn for their BB’Q’s. He said to his friends Duck,
Pig, Cow, and Rooster “I would love to know what it’s like to have a bar-b-q
like that someday and just taste all that delicious food”.
His friends told him (because animals talk in this story) they
said “we will pull together all the money we have and we will make you a great
party like we usually do with Roasted Corn and Sweet Potatoes and enough apples
to sink a battleship” ... the boy smiled and thanked his friends and said
“thanks, guys, i appreciate that you would do that for me, but it’s just not
the same... that how we always celebrate”
Then Pig got an idea, he pulled the other animals around and
shared his plan... “are you sure?” they asked him.. “absolutely”.
Hours later Duck, Cow, and Rooster came to the boy with the
most delicious smelling bar-b-q you could imagine... there was smoked ribs,
pulled pork, ham sandwiches, and enough bacon to choke a camel. The boy was so
excited!!
He couldn't wait to taste it and share with his friends, and
then he asked “wait, where’s Pig?”
You see the Bible says that we were bought with a price... sure
it would have been impressive if those animals gave all their money for a
vegetarian bbq. That would be the same as paying gold and silver for a
ransom... but this bbq was different... Pig paid a greater price for the boy to
be happy.
Our relationship with God is like that plus some! He didn’t just
buy us with silver and gold... he paid our ransom with his Son’s blood.
Do you think that the boy would have taken that meal for granted
? Why is it that we often take for granted our relationship with Christ and the
forgiveness that he offers?
Questions:
1. Are you sure that you have a relationship with Christ?
2. How do you know that you have a relationship with Jesus?
3. What does it do to you to know that God paid your ransom
with the blood of His own Son?!
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Written by Jeff Harkins
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