I read an interesting article the other day concerning the wildfires that ravaged Yellowstone Park several years back. After the fire had begun to die down, forest rangers started to trek into the woods and mountains to assess the damage. One ranger came across an eerie sight. At the base of a large, burned tree was the body of a bird. The bird wasn’t lying down but sitting up, literally petrified in place by the heat and the flames. The ranger picked up a stick and tapped on the dead bird, and it fell over. When it tipped over on its side, three young chicks scurried out from underneath, very much alive.
The ranger was amazed. The mother bird could have easily flown out of danger's way and survived, but that would mean sacrificing her chicks. Something she couldn’t do. So instead, she gathered her chicks at the base of the tree, tucked them under her wings, and saved their lives at the cost of her own.
I couldn’t think of a better illustration of what Jesus Christ has done for us. The fact is, this world has been on fire since the day that Adam and Eve made the choice to eat the wrong fruit for breakfast one day. Ever since then, the world has been on a slow burn. Their son Cain committed the first murder recorded. 10 generations later, the world would be so corrupt that God literally grieved that He had created man (Genesis 6:6). And were it not for the obedience of Noah and his family building the ark, the story of mankind would have ended there.
But mankind didn’t end there, and neither did the fire. The enemy doesn’t give up easily. And God knew since that first bite of fruit all those years before in the garden, that drastic measures would have to be taken to protect His children. And thus, the most famous Bible passage ever:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
The truly amazing thing about this sacrifice that Jesus made is...He didn’t have to do it. Just like that mother bird, He could have let us fend for ourselves, but He didn’t. He gave all He had to save us from the fire. The book of John records Jesus saying:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord…”
(John 10:11,18)
What a thought, that Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself so that we might be made safe from the fire. This world can be very overwhelming. Filled with problems, heartaches, difficulties, and struggles. It’s all part of the fire that was lit so many years ago by the evil one. But there is a place of protection and a place of safety. Jesus said:
“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33)
There is trouble in this world, and none of us is immune to it, but we have shelter, a place to go, a savior who was willing to sacrifice Himself for our safety and protection for an eternity. If the troubles of this world are overwhelming, get yourself under His covering wings.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
(Psalm 61:3-4)
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