The Captive Free

The angel came, and spake to the keeper of the prison, one called grim Death, and said to him, "Let that Captive go free." Death was sitting on his throne of skulls, with a huge iron key at his girdle of iron; and he laughed and said, "Aha! thousands and thousands of the race of Adam have passed the portals of this prison-house, but none of them have ever been delivered. That key," saith he, "has been once turned in its wards by destiny, and no mortal power can ever turn it back again and draw the bolts from their resting-places."

Then the angel showed to him Heaven's own warrant, and Death turned pale. The angel grasped the key—unlocked the prison door, and stepped in. There slept the Royal Captive— the Divine Hostage. And the angel cried, " Arise! Thou Sleeper. Put off Thy garments of death. Shake Thyself from the dust, and put on Thy beautiful garments." The Master arose. He unwound the napkin, and laid it by itself. He took off His graveclothes—laid them by themselves, to show He was in no hurry; that all was done legally, and therefore orderly. He did not dash His prison walls aside, to come out, but came out by legal process —just as He had entered in. He seemed to express Himself as Paul did, "No, verily, let them come themselves and fetch me out." So was the Master set at liberty—by Heaven's own officer—-who came from heaven to give Him just liberty. I think it is Hart who sweetly says—

" If Jesus ne'er had paid the debt,
He ne'er had been at freedom set."

But, because He was set at liberty, that is God's proof that He had done all that was necessary. Thou Lamb of God! I see Thee rising from Thy tomb, in splendour ineffable, dazzling the eyes of the guards, and making them flee away in terror. And when I see Thee risen from the dead, I see myself accepted, and all Thy dying redeemed people fully delivered.— Spurgeon