Joshua’s eyes adjusted to the dim light of the dusty warehouse.  There were many old vehicles waiting for new owners to redeem them but he was looking for a very special one.  He had been in love with her for years and knew exactly what he was looking for.  As he made his way around the floor his eyes fell on what had been the pride and joy of many people many years ago:  an FX Holden in good nick but in need of TLC, a 1948 Morris Minor 850 side valve, an old Pontiac Firebird.  But these were mere distractions and didn’t hold the appeal of his own true love.

Then he saw her in all her beauty:  classic lines, slim black tear-drop petrol tank, twin carbs, drum brakes front and rear.  What a beauty:  a 1968 650 cc Triumph Bonneville!  Her paint was a bit tarnished and pitted and there were a few scrapes here and there but overall this was a sound bike.  Joshua ran his hand admiringly over her.  It felt good.  He glanced around and saw that no-one was looking and gingerly threw his leg over the seat.  It felt good to be in the saddle looking down at the single instrument between the handlebars.  No tacho or oil pressure gauge like the modern bikes, just a speedometer with too many miles on it.  He threw the kick start out and depressed it slowly with his foot.  Good compression, he thought, but there was no key in the ignition for him to turn to give power to start it up and make the glorious sound that only these old twin thumpers can make.  He could already picture himself in the workshop lovingly restoring her.  He would replace every nut and bolt and make her better than she was when she came out of the showroom in 1968, so he could ride her around town to show off her beauty!

A sudden announcement broke into Joshua’s thoughts.  It was time for the auction to start and the auctioneer was calling the bidders together.  Joshua quickly made his way over to where the crowd gathered around the podium.  He waited patiently while people bid on the cars and then it was time for the bikes.  The Norton went cheaply and the Honda went cheaper but now it was time for his beloved Bonny.  The auctioneer called, how much am I bid?  Joshua was nervous but no-one else looked interested.  Two fifty he called out. The auctioneer called back.  Two fifty, I am bid two fifty.  Do I hear three hundred?  Two fifty going once, two fifty twice.

Two seventy five!  Joshua was stunned.  A big voice came from behind him and he turned to see a large, florid faced man grinning defiantly at him.  He had a long goatee beard and was wearing a red Hawaiian shirt and a Red Devils baseball cap.  The auctioneer lost no time as he had more items to get through and this was just one of many.  Two seventy five, I am bid two seventy five, do I hear three hundred. Two seventy five, going once, twice.

Stunned as he was, Joshua had no intentions of letting this interloper out-bid him.  Three hundred, he called out confidently.  Three twenty five, boomed out Red Devil.  Joshua turned to look at Red Devil again trying to figure out if this was going to be a serious battle for his baby. Three fifty, he called out.  Four hundred, came the immediate response.  Five hundred, yelled Joshua.  Sweat was beginning to form on his forehead.  He wasn’t expecting this opposition.  Six hundred, boomed Red Devil.  Joshua’s stomach churned.  No, this can’t be happening.  Seven fifty, called Joshua.  This was still well within his limit but where was it going?

One thousand dollars, boomed Red Devil.  Joshua’s stomach turned violently and sweat broke out all over.  He was beginning to feel very sick inside.  One thousand five hundred, Joshua called, not feeling as confident as he had at the start.  This isn’t how it was suppose to go, he thought.  Two thousand, came the confident reply from Red Devil.  Two five, Joshua said without hesitation because the Bonny just had to be his!  Three thousand, boomed Red Devil, with that grin still on his face.  What was Joshua going to do?  With resolve, he decided: whatever it takes! Four thousand dollars, cried Joshua.  Five, came the reply. Whatever it takes:  Six, said Joshua.  Seven came the reply.  Eight!  Nine!  Where was this going?

Joshua did some mental maths, adding up all he had saved and called out his final figure.  It was more than he planned and much more than Red Devil had last bid.  Joshua turned to look at Red Devil but the grin was replaced with a stunned look of disbelief.  He clearly hadn’t expected that Joshua would pay that much. Going once, going twice, sold to the young man for the highest bid of the day, the auctioneer called as his hammer went down on the sale.

You might have guessed this is not about a man’s love for a classic motorbike but rather it’s an attempt at a modern day parable about the love of Jesus for His bride.  He was willing to pay any price to redeem His “bonnie” bride, the love of His life, even if it meant giving His all to defeat the devil. He did it for you and He did it for me.

And maybe the devil wasn’t expecting that final bid that Jesus made on Calvary.  But the Lord loved us with an everlasting love before the foundation of the world.  There was no way He was going to let the devil triumph over us and own us.  He paid the price that we might be His own spotless bride.  Won’t you allow Jesus to redeem you, to set you free from the bondage of satan today?  Won’t you allow Jesus to remake and restore you, taking away the tarnish of the world?

Titus 2:13-14 (KJV)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

John 8:36 (KJV)  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.