The Waving of Chickens

Most of you are very aware that I am a strong proponent of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone and, consequently, I am very strongly opposed to justification by works—legalism, in any form. I have often tried to warn you and others of the dangers of legalism, and for the most part, I think I have been heard; however, I do know that each of us continues to struggle from time to time with some of the left over remnants of it.

Anyway, I received the magazine, “Israel My Glory” this week and the article that contained this picture captured my attention and for obvious reasons—an ultra-orthodox Jewish father is waving a live chicken over the head of his son, while saying these words: “You are my sacrifice, by whom my sins will be forgiven.” After this ritual is carried out, the chicken is then slaughtered and given to charity!

I can only imagine how things were carried out in Biblical days with the sacrificing of lambs, goats, bulls, even pigeons, but this in my opinion is a very clear example (it takes no imagination) of one of the more significant dangers of legalism—it soon takes us so far away from dependence upon Jesus, that we find ourselves doing what amounts to “swinging live chickens” over our own heads and the heads of others, in our futile attempts to gain Jesus’ love and acceptance. This ultra-orthodox Jewish father is waving a live chicken over the head of his son in preparation for Yom Kippur, which, I am certain, was probably very important for him, but, unfortunately, it was no more effective at having his son’s sins forgiven, than my waving a perfect attendance pin over the head of my grandma would be.

My point is this: I am very thankful that I do not have to depend upon a chicken (dead or alive) for the forgiveness of my sins, nor a goat for that matter. Thankfully, Jesus is my redeemer and He has perfectly and permanently dealt with my sin problem. He has done for me what the blood of bulls, goats, and even chickens could never do—He took my sins away, so far away that God will never remember them again!

Can you see what is so sad in this picture? These Jews are the folk that God calls the “apple of His eye.” These are the folk that Jesus came to redeem; He is their Messiah! Unfortunately, they rejected him and, obviously, they continue to do so, as they wave live chickens in His face!

Careful now! Before you are too hard on them, remember this: in all probability, each of us has “waved our own live chicken” in His face, probably even today, in an attempt to get our sins forgiven; if not, we probably will before the day ends. For some reason, we seem to prefer doing things our own way, rather than submitting to His way. Fortunately, however, His way is the only way that works!

LISTEN! There is but one way to righteousness—JESUS! Neither chickens, ducks, goats, lambs, or perfect attendance pins, even correct doctrine, can take away our sins! Do we sometimes look as foolish as the Jewish father in the above picture?
LET US STOP “WAVING CHICKENS” IN JESUS’ FACE AND, INSTEAD, PLACE OUR TRUST IN HIM!!
Just a reminder—