We referenced earlier this week
the Old Testament laws regarding indentured servitude in ancient Israel.
“If thou buy an Hebrew
servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for
nothing. If he came in by himself,
he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with
him. If his master have given him a
wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall
be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall
plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the
door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an
aul; and he shall serve him forever” (Exodus 21:5-6).
This fascinating mandate
foreshadows the greatest Servant who ever lived, the Lord Jesus Christ. For our sakes, He took upon Himself a
humanity from which He will never step way. The New Testament, in the present tense,
refers to our Lord as “the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). Although forever Divine, He will also
forever retain the wounded humanity that made possible His sacrificial death for
our sins, and the salvation of all who receive the free gift made possible by so
great an act of mercy. “I will not
go out free!” declared the servant of old regarding the wife and children given
to Him by His master. “I will not
go out free!” declares our Savior of the church given to Him by His Father. “Behold I and the children which
God hath given Me” (Hebrews 2:13).
A new song resulted
from the message the other day. I
thought I’d send the lyrics today as another illustration of the sublime nature
of our Lord’s love for us, and the sacrifice involved whereby He promises, “I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
I Will Not Go Out
Free
I will not go out
free,
forever I’ll stay
with thee.
Pierce My hands,
My feet, and side,
that all may know
My sacrifice.
For I will not go out
free.
Better to remain a
slave,
And with My master
stay
Whatever He wants
I’ll gladly be,
If it means I’ll
always stay with thee,
Oh I will not go out
free.
Forever we’ll be
side by side,
My Spirit will
fill you with My life.
And this know with
all certainty,
That I will always
be with thee,
For I will not go out
free…
I will not go out
free!
“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself
for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
(Ephesians 5:25-27)
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