Free as a Bird

Bible Reading: John 8:31-36

“I want to go see the jungle animals first!” Andrew said as he and his mom walked into the zoo. So together they strolled past the areas where various wild animals were kept in secure cages or behind fences and deep ditches. They saw where bears and lions had space to roam. They looked at the giraffes, elephants, and zebras. Moving on to a large enclosure, they admired a mountain lion as it stretched out on a rock. Then they spent time at the monkey house where they were entertained by the amusing actions of the orangutans and spider monkeys.

Later, as they left the aquarium, Andrew noticed a cage next to the aviary that held a large bird. “Look! That’s a bald eagle—but what’s it doing in such a little cage? Most of the animals have lots of room to run—or swim or fly or whatever it is they do.”

Mom pointed to a sign next to the cage, and Andrew stopped to read it. “It says this bird was badly injured, and it has to stay caged until its wing is healed,” he told his mom. “Then it will be released to fly away.” Andrew frowned. “Poor thing. I’d hate to live in a small cage like that, even for just a little while!”

“Me too,” said Mom thoughtfully. “Yet, in a way, you and I both lived in a cage once.”

Andrew gave his mom a funny look. “What are you talking about?”

“Sin is like a cage,” Mom said. “It traps people, and we’re unable to escape from it ourselves. The Bible refers to those stuck in their wicked ways as slaves to sin. They can only live to pursue their own selfish desires.”

“But Jesus can set people free from sin,” Andrew said. “He freed us!”

Mom nodded. “We’re no longer slaves to sin because we trust in Him. He gave us the freedom to turn from sin and do what’s right.”

Andrew looked at the caged eagle again. “When this guy is finally released, he’ll be a free bird and soar way up high.” He grinned at his mom. “That’s what being freed from sin feels like too.” Karen E. Cogan

How About You?

Are you trapped in a cage of sin? You may consider yourself to be a good person, but the Bible says each one of us was born enslaved to sin. Many of the people Jesus talked with were good in the eyes of other people, but He told them they were sinners who needed to be set free. You do too. Trust Jesus to set you free from sin today.

Today’s Key Verse:
John 8:36 If the Son [Jesus] sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Let Jesus set you free