Pinocchio

I was thinking about the story of Pinocchio.
The Adventures of Pinocchio was originally written in 1883 by Carlo Collodi.
It is the story of an old wood carver named Geppetto who carves a wooden puppet.
He names him Pinocchio.

In the animated version of the story, Pinocchio is brought to life by a fairy.
The fairy tells Pinocchio that he can become a real boy if he proves himself to be brave, truthful, and unselfish.
Pinocchio also has to be able to tell right from wrong by listening to his conscience.

It was Geppetto’s wish that Pinocchio become a real boy.
He was delighted when he awoke the next morning and found that his wish had come true.
He sends Pinocchio off to school…his naivete no match for the shrewd people he meets.
Pinocchio is a commodity that is quickly sold to a side show as a living, string-less puppet.

Pinocchio is locked in a birdcage so that he cannot return home.
He is visited by the fairy.
She asks Pinocchio why he disobeyed Geppetto.
Ashamed of his behavior, Pinocchio lies to save face.
Immediately, his nose begins to grow…longer and longer with each lie he tells.

The fairy tells Pinocchio that a “lie will keep growing and growing until it’s as plain as the nose on your face.”

When you read the headlines, or watch the news, you can’t help but think of Pinocchio.
There are controversies, cover-ups, lies, name calling, finger pointing.
I watch or read and wait for noses to grow!

The reality is…no one’s nose is immune to this type of growth.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father. For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:2,3 and 8,9)

The people wanted to know more after they heard John’s preaching.
How do we repent?

“What shall we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.” (Luke 3:10-14)

Do this…don’t do that.
John preached in simple terms that the people could understand.

They heard what was expected of them in this new kingdom that was coming.
Often, it cut them to the heart…and caused many of them to repent and be baptized.
Those that were called to repentance saw how far away from the mark they really were.

That standard of righteousness is God’s standard.
It is His holiness we are measuring ourselves against.
No wonder we come up short!

People asked John if he was the Christ.
No…he was just a voice…he would tell them.
A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (Matthew 3:3)

There were lots of long noses as John preached.
But as he preached, the people were convicted.
Their sin was as plain as the nose on their face.
They couldn’t go on the way they were.
They had to deal with their sin.

We can’t deal with our sin on our own.
Satan locks us up in his birdcage.
We are just an commodity.
Satan pulls the strings.

The Master Wood Carver, who created us, wants us to be alive.
Alive in Him.
He has the scissors to cut Satan’s strings.
We are string-less…in Him…but we are NOT puppets.

We are alive in Christ.
Trying to be brave, truthful, unselfish.
Trying to tell right from wrong…as we rely on the Holy Spirit.

We still sin.
We are lured by smooth talking people who promise what they can’t deliver.
Our noses begin to grow as we try to cover up our shame.

Jesus hung on the wood of a tree.
A cross that took our shame, our sin, our guilt…and placed it on Him.
He put Himself in the birdcage instead of us.

No need for long noses…no need for shame.
Only praise…worship…and thanksgiving for the Master.

No strings…just belief.
Belief in the One who willingly hung on wood…so we wouldn’t have to.
He is brave, truthful, unselfish…able to tell right from wrong.
Sinless.

Praise Him!

 

2 responses to “Pinocchio”

1. I loved all the comparisons, especially that we are just like Pinocchio when we allow Satan to “pull our strings”. This is one I’ve printed for use with the grandchildren. They love having books read to them, and using Pinocchio and this devotional will be an easy way to reinforce right/wrong, the consequences of telling a lie, and doing the right thing. Thank you so much for this and the many wonderful “Whispers”.

   Reply

   • Linda,
     How wonderful to think that your grandchildren will be blessed!
     God gets all the praise…since the ideas come from HIM!
     Gina

     Reply