The kitty offer was forgotten in all the business of life. But true to his word, the neighbor showed up about a month later with a box. “Here he is, ready for John. Let me carry the box to the basement for you.”
So they permitted the neighbor to take the box to the basement. He seemed in a hurry to leave, so they did not think too much about it that he did not open the box. They called John in for the great moment. Imagine, to their great surprise, that when John opened the box, out jumped a large black and white … skunk!

It was too late. The frightened animal ran among the boxes of “stuff” stored in the basement and refused to come out. Poor John got sprayed in the process. What a nasty trick!

Aaron tried for many days to get the animal out of his house, but nothing availed. It got to the point that the skunk would immediately raise its tail and turn its rear end towards whoever opened the basement door, in preparation of defending itself. After twice getting blasted with spray, Aaron was at his wit’s end.

Then came the first of the month, when the rent was due. Aaron approached his landlord, and hesitatingly told the story of the skunk, and asked forgiveness for the terrible plight he had created for himself—and the house!

The landlord was gracious. He forgave Aaron, but gently reminded Aaron that he was responsible for the whole mess, and for getting the skunk out. So Aaron returned home, relieved to be forgiven, but perplexed with his plight.

Another whole month passed. Aaron still had the skunk in the basement, and he went to pay his rent. “I forgive you, Aaron. But remember it is your fault that the skunk got in there. You should get him out.”

So it went, month after month. Always forgiven, but the problem never went away. Until one day … John was looking out the window. Here came the landlord’s son carrying a trap. “Look!” he cried, “Here comes the landlord’s son to take away the skunk in the basement!”

Realizing that Aaron was incapable of getting himself out of his own mess, the landlord had pity on him and sent his son to take away the skunk in the basement. Yes, the skunk was caught in the trap, and the landlord’s son did get smelly in the process, but he took away the troublesome skunk.

Do you see the difference between the forgiveness of God, and the Lamb (His Son) that “taketh away” the sin of the world? God had been forgiving humanity of their sins ever since the beginning, if they would but humbly ask Him. It was man’s fault that sin entered the world, and it was not God’s responsibility to take it away. But He, being righteous (true righteous meaning “doing above and beyond what we are obligated to do”), took it upon Himself to supply the remedy, and sent His Son into the world to take sin away—remove it!

Now, the skunk removed and the deed forgiven, Aaron can be assured of a good continual relationship with his landlord. And we, having sin taken away (purged by the Spirit of God coming into our heart) and forgiven of our misdeeds, can walk in assurance of peace with our God.

Jesus saved the world by taking away its sin! And whosoever will may partake of this salvation.

–Mike Atnip