Morning By Morning #86

“I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered.

“If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

John 18:8

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Dear soul, notice the care Jesus exhibited for His sheep even in the midst of His hour of trial! While submitting Himself to His enemies and facing death Himself, the controlling passion of His life remained constant and He graciously interceded on behalf of His disciples, speaking words of power to set them free. “As a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isa. 53:7) for Himself, but He spoke with almighty power on behalf of His disciples.

“This is love” (1 John 4:10)—constant, selfless, faithful love. Yet isn’t there far more here than meets the eye? Don’t we hear the very soul and spirit of the atonement in His words? “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11) and intercedes for their freedom. He became the security for their debt, and therefore justice demanded that those for whom He was a substitute should be set free.

In the midst of “Egypt’s” grip of bondage, Jesus’ voice rings out with mighty power, “Let these men go.” It is from the slavery to sin and to Satan that the redeemed of God must emerge. In the dungeons of Despair, as in The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (1628 – 1688), these words echo through every cell: “Let these men go.” Then Mr. Despondency and his daughter Much-afraid come forth. Satan hears the mighty voice of the Lord, which he knows well, and lifts his foot from the necks of the fallen. Death hears it as well and opens her graves, allowing the dead to rise.

The newly free now travel the path of progress, holiness, triumph, and glory, and no one will dare keep them from it. No ferocious lion or other ravenous animal will cross their way. “The morning buck” has drawn the aim of the cruel hunters upon Himself, and now even the most timid doe and fawn of the field may graze in perfect peace among the lilies with those they love. The thundercloud has burst over the cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion will never be struck by the lightning bolts of God’s vengeance.

Come, dear heart, rejoice in the immunity your Redeemer has secured for you, and bless His name all day—every day.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

An intercessor is someone who not only prays for you but is also someone willing to take your place. Thus, Jesus qualifies on both counts! He told Peter, “Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:31 – 32). Then He prayed for His disciples and for you by saying, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message” (John 17:20). Of course, now He is seated “at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2) and “always lives to intercede for [you]” (Heb. 7:25).

He became the substitutionary sacrifice for you, as a believer, as well, taking your place on the cross.

When you were dead in your sins…God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code;…he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13 – 15