The Puppet

The Puppet

Ephesians 2:1-7

Jeffrey was so excited he could hardly open his birthday gift. He was pretty sure it was a puppet—something he’d been wanting ever since he’d seen a speaker perform with one at church. He tore off the wrappings and opened the box. Sure enough, there was a puppet inside! His little sister, Dorrie, looked on with wide-eyed wonder. “A doll?” she asked. “You’re going to play with dolls?”

“No way,” said Jeffrey. “This is a puppet, like the one the preacher had at church. Remember?”

“His puppet was alive,” said Dorrie. “It could move and talk, but yours just lies there. I still think it’s a doll.”

“Just wait,” replied Jeffrey. “Mine will come to life too. I’m going to learn to be a ventriloquist, like that preacher. I’m going to name my puppet Andy.”

After Jeffrey had practiced for several weeks, Dorrie declared, “Andy is alive now, just like the preacher’s puppet.” Then Jeffrey knew he was truly becoming a good ventriloquist.

One morning at family devotions, Dad turned to the second chapter of Ephesians in his Bible. “Even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life,” read Dad. He looked up. “Let me explain what this means. Dorrie, remember how Jeffrey’s puppet, Andy, didn’t seem to be alive?”

Dorrie nodded. “Andy remains entirely limp and lifeless until the moment that Jeffrey slips his hand inside him and operates the controls and speaks for him.” Dad smiled and said, “God tells us that as sinners we’re spiritually dead. Just as Andy needs Jeffrey to bring him to life, sinners need Jesus as their personal Savior to give them spiritual life. Without the Life-Giver, we remain lifeless.” MRP

How about You?

Have you been trying to live the Christian life but finding you can’t do it? If you’ve never accepted Christ as Savior, you’re not alive in him. When you trust Jesus to save you, you’ll begin to live!

Memorize:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1, NKJV

Be Alive through Christ