City of Refuge
Jesus the City of Refuge
"Your refuge from the avenger of blood."-
Joshua 20:3
It is said that in the land of Canaan,
cities of refuge were so arranged, that any man might reach one of them within
half a day at the utmost. Even so the word of our salvation is near to us;
Jesus is a present Saviour, and the way to him is short; it is but a simple
renunciation of our own merit, and a laying hold of Jesus, to be our all in
all. With regard to the roads to the city of refuge, we are told that they were
strictly preserved, every river was bridged, and every obstruction removed, so
that the man who fled might find an easy passage to the city. Once a year the
elders went along the roads and saw to their order, so that nothing might
impede the flight of any one, and cause him, through delay, to be overtaken and
slain. How graciously do the promises of the gospel remove stumbling blocks
from the way! Wherever there were by-roads and turnings, there were fixed up
hand-posts, with the inscription upon them--"To the city of refuge!"
This is a picture of the road to Christ Jesus. It is no roundabout road of the
law; it is no obeying this, that, and the other; it is a straight road:
"Believe, and live." It is a road so hard, that no self-righteous man
can ever tread it, but so easy, that every sinner, who knows himself to be a
sinner may by it find his way to heaven. No sooner did the man-slayer reach the
outworks of the city than he was safe; it was not necessary for him to pass far
within the walls, but the suburbs themselves were sufficient protection. Learn
hence, that if you do but touch the hem of Christ's garment, you shall be made
whole; if you do but lay hold upon him with "faith as a grain of mustard
seed," you are safe.
"A little genuine grace ensures
The death of all our sins."
Only waste no time, loiter not by the way, for the
avenger of blood is swift of foot; and it may be he is at your heels at this
still hour of eventide.
- Spurgeon -
Comments
Post a Comment