'Pierced hands

Pierced hands

As I read the ancient story of the love and heroism of David's mighty men, when they hewed their way through the lines of the Philistines, drew up the sparkling water from the cool well, and bore it back through the same hostile ranks to their fainting chief in the cave — another picture rises up before me.

I see a world of men and women, shut up in the dark dungeons of sin. They bear marks of disaster and defeat. They have been driven away from the home of their childhood, and that home is now in the enemy's hands. Then I see One rise up in His might, His heart touched with pity and stirred with infinite love.

Majesty is on His brow.

Strength is in His arm.

Compassion is in His eye. He goes forth alone, none of the people with Him. Warlike hosts gather about the old lost well of life to hold it, but He moves on in calm majesty, I see Him pass through the armed lines.

There are tens of thousands against one.

He is smitten on this side and on that side.

His back is torn with the scourge.

His hands are pierced with nails.

He dies on a cross.

"Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah . . . glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?" It is the Lord. He has cut his way through the hosts of his enemies.

See, His garments are stained with blood. He fought for the old well by the gate, and comes bearing in His hands its cool, sweet water, to give to those that are thirsty.

He has re-conquered for His people, the blessings of which sin had robbed us. He has gotten back for us the old home, with all its joys. He returns, marked with wounds, weary and dust-covered, bearing in His hands water, the water of life, from the old well.

The blessings and hopes of Christian faith, which are so dear to us, are blood bought. By Christ's stripes we are healed.

We have joy — because He endured sorrow.

We have peace in the midst of storm — because He faced the tempest.

We have forgiveness of sin — because the darkness gathered about His soul on the cross.

We have life, eternal life — because He died in shame.

The grave has no gloom for us — because He lay in it wrapping its glooms about His own soul.

Every blessing comes to us baptized with Christ's blood — the blood of the Son of God. The hands that save us are pierced hands — pierced in saving us!

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