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<p>J. C. Ryle<br><br>
Christ is that <strong><em>brazen serpent</em></strong> which God has set up <br />
in the world, for the healing of all sin-bitten souls who <br />
desire to be cured. The believer looks to Him by faith <br />
—and receives life, health, and spiritual strength!<br />
<br />
Christ is that true <strong><em>city of refuge</em></strong>, to which the man <br />
fleeing from the avenger of blood runs, and in which <br />
he is safe. <br />
<br />
Christ is that <strong><em>altar </em></strong>which provided a sanctuary to him <br />
who laid hold on its horns. Christ is <em>that almighty hand <br />
of mercy</em>, which God holds out from heaven to lost and <br />
drowning sinners. The believer lays hold on this hand <br />
by faith—and is delivered from the pit of hell.<br />
<br />
The Lord Jesus says, &quot;My flesh is <strong><em>food </em></strong>indeed. He who <br />
eats of this <em>bread </em>shall live forever&quot; (John 6:55, 58). <br />
Christ is that <em>divine food</em> which God has provided for <br />
starving sinners! He is that <em>divine bread</em> which is at <br />
the same time—life, nourishment and medicine! The <br />
believer feeds on this bread of life by faith. His hunger <br />
is relieved. His soul is delivered from damnation!<br />
<br />
The Lord Jesus says, &quot;My blood is <strong><em>drink </em></strong>indeed&quot; (John <br />
6:55). Christ is that <em>fountain of living water</em> which God <br />
has opened for the use of all thirsty and sin-defiled <br />
sinners, proclaiming, &quot;Whoever will, let him take the <br />
water of life freely!&quot; (Rev. 22:17). The believer drinks <br />
of this  living water—and his thirst is quenched.<br />
<br />
Christ is the appointed <strong><em>keeper </em></strong>and <em><strong>guardian </strong></em>of His <br />
people. It is His office to <em>preserve </em>from sin, death, hell, <br />
and the devil—any who are committed to His charge. <br />
The believer places his soul in the hands of <em>this Almighty<br />
treasure-keeper</em>, and is insured against loss to all eternity. <br />
He trusts himself to Christ—and is safe.<br />
<br />
Christ is <strong>that Almighty Friend, Advocate and <br />
Physician</strong>—to whom all sinners, needing help, are <br />
commanded to apply. The believer comes to Him <br />
by faith—and is relieved.
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