A Pigeon’s Message

The following is chapter 18 in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of Jesus’ public ministry in Luke 5.

My Friends,

He could do anything. He could do everything. He simply spoke the word. He commanded, and it was so. The leper’s skin made new; the deaf heard, and the blind saw. Demons fled, and storms ceased. I know this because I followed from the sky. I thought He was the Promised One; His miracles said He was. But in the end it wasn’t another miracle that convinced me; it was what He said just before that made me coo.

People flocked liked birds to see Him. The stories were everywhere. His exploits spread. He taught like no other, and He healed like none before. Was the carpenter’s son the Messiah? The simple and the common said yes; the powerful and the Pharisee said no. Both sides came; the former to learn and grow—the latter to accuse and stump. Of one such gathering I now write.

A bird’s eye view was mine until He went inside. I wanted to hear. But how could I; He was in the house? Then they appeared. They wanted to see Him, too. It was a lame man, and because he could not walk, two friends carried him on the bed he slept. But the home was full. No more could enter. Deterred not, the friends walked the back stairs to the roof—taking their immobile friend with them. What were they doing?

Tiles were removed, ropes were attached, and the man who could not walk was lowered from the sky. The bed came to rest at Jesus’ feet. I marveled at their plan and rejoiced I had my view.

Jesus stopped at the interruption. I knew what was next; the lame was about to walk. I had seen it before. But there was no miracle; just words—but O the power of the words—more powerful than any miracle. “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Have more beautiful words ever been spoken?

But instead of rejoicing, whispers of blasphemy filled the hush. And from some, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” I didn’t like the Pharisee, but they were right. Only the offended can grant forgiveness, and sin is committed against God. All eyes went to the One from Nazareth. He did not disappoint; His response was a question: “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” No answer came. He continued, “That you may know I have authority to forgiven sins,” then looking at the paralyzed man, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And the man whose legs did not work got up. The quiet of the room went to awe, and then awe went to praise.

Then I understood. If He could make the lame walk, He could forgive sins, and if He could forgive sins, surely He was the Son of God. I flew away to tell my animal friends. What was hoped was true. The Messiah was here. And He brought forgiveness of sins with Him! There is no better news; there is no greater miracle.

Blessed to be a witness,

The Pigeon