In 1716, a lion was exhibited for the first time in America.

Imagine hearing about lions, possibly reading about lions, but never actually seeing one. It would be hard to imagine a lion’s majestic demeanor or experience its powerful roar from mere words. So it must have caused quite a stir when the first lion was exhibited in the United States.

That milestone event took place on this day in 1716, at the home of Captain Arthur Savage on Brattle Street, Boston. The lion, which had been tamed for exhibition, was advertised in The Boston News Letter in the following way: “All persons having the Curiosity of seeing the noble and Royal Beast the Lyon, never one before in America, may see him at the House of Capt. Arthur Savage near Mr. Colman’s Church, Boston.”

Imagine not only seeing a lion for the first time, but seeing it in someone’s home!

Sometimes we need to use more than our eyes to truly see and know something. Sometimes we need our hearts as well. A good example of this is the two blind beggars who sat by the road. They could hear the commotion of Jesus approaching, and so they shouted, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

These men called Jesus “Son of David,” because they knew the Messiah would come from David’s family and because they knew without a doubt that Jesus was that long-awaited Messiah. They could Jesus was the Messiah with their hearts, while the other religious leaders who saw Jesus’ miracles were blind to his true identity.

As you get to know Jesus through God’s Word and through others, make sure you are seeing him with both your eyes and your heart.

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” (Matthew 20:30).

To Do

Try this: Describe something you have seen to a family member or friend. Based on your description, ask them to draw it.

Also on this day

1789—President George Washington set aside this day to observe the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

1861—The state of West Virginia was created (out of Virginia) over a dispute concerning slavery. West Virginia was against slavery.

1922—In Egypt, Howard Carter peered into the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.