Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, Two Escapes

“I, the Lord, have called thee … to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” — Isaiah 42:6-7.

“The Lord has anointed me … to proclaim liberty to captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” — Isaiah 41:1.

Such were the precious words of prophecy spoken by a man of God in ancient days — words full of hope and light, which find their fulfilment to-day in God’s dear Son. Yes! Jesus is the One who sets the captive free. He is the Lord “who looses the prisoners.”

There are captives who are not conscious of their captivity, and prisoners who will not believe that they are bound. Yet the chains that hold them are stronger than any forged on blacksmith’s anvil, and their prison is worse by far than the most noisome dungeon.

The captives are sinners undelivered, their chains are chains of sin and Satan holds them in his power. Many there are who dream of freedom, and boast loudly of their liberty, who are enslaved, and do not know the joy of true deliverance, Many feel the bitterness of their bondage, and cry to Him who sets the captives free; and, blessed be His name, they do not cry in vain, for “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13.)

I will try and illustrate to you how this is brought about.

There is at the Castle of St. Andrews the famous Bottle dungeon, hewn out of the solid rock, in shape like a huge round bottle. We can well believe that its ingenious design would baffle the prisoners in their attempts to escape. The guide who takes visitors over the castle now will tell you, however, that one prisoner did escape in spite of this; and it occurred in the following manner.

During the time of his confinement, before the day of execution arrived, his sister gained permission to see him in the dungeon once more before he died. She had devised a daring plan, and no sooner was she lowered into the dreadful place than she insisted upon changing clothes with her doomed brother so that he might escape. When the time allowed for the interview came to an end he, in her apparel, was drawn up from the dungeon. The night was so dark, or else the guards so careless, that his features were not noticed, and he got away. But all through the dreary night his brave and devoted sister had to stay in the dungeon. When the morning dawned it was discovered that the prisoner had escaped, and that someone else had taken his place.

Is not this what Christ Jesus has done? There are many who can say, “He was delivered for our offences”; He went into our prison, and took our place in death. Yes, He clothed Himself with our sin; and our iniquities were laid upon Him that we might be free. Clothed in the garments which He gives. All His fitness ours before the face of God.

Many can say with joy that they have changed their rags for a spotless garment, and can sing —
“Clad in this robe how bright I shine.
 Angels possess not such a dress;
 Angels have not a robe like mine.
 Jesus, the Lord, my righteousness.”

But Jesus died for all! It is written in the Scripture: “Christ died for the ungodly”; and all who own that they are ungodly — captives to sin and Satan — can obtain the deliverance through Christ.

Will you reject Him? Think of the greatness of the love that brought Him down to die, to bear men’s sins, and the judgment of a holy God against sin.
“His is love, ’tis love unbounded,
   Without measure, without end;
 Human thought is here confounded —
   ‘Tis too vast to comprehend.
 Praise the Saviour,
   Magnify the sinners’ Friend!

Those whom the Son of God sets free are free indeed, and need never be brought into Satan’s captivity again.

 

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Mary Queen of Scots, the most interesting of all persons in Scottish history (with the possible exception of Robert Bruce) was a captive in Loch Leven Castle, kept there by order of the Earl of Murray, her half brother (who ruled the kingdom in her stead). She had many friends outside the castle, and what was more to her purpose, she had friends within its walls.

There was a youth, known to fame as “little Douglas,” whose heart was softened by the Queen’s distress; and, being a quick-witted lad, he plotted her deliverance.

One day, without being seen, he managed to secure the Castle keys, and when the darkness gathered he set Queen Mary free; then locked the gates behind him and threw the keys into the water. He assisted her into a boat which was ready and rowed to the main land, where anxious friends were waiting to receive them. To lock the doors and throw away the keys precluded all chance of pursuit and capture. It was a clever plan; the next best thing indeed to becoming master of the Castle in which the Queen was imprisoned.

Now, using this to illustrate our subject, it is good news to hear that the Lord and Saviour has secured the keys of Satan’s stronghold, and by His power He holds them. “I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; AND HAVE THE KEYS OF HELL AND OF DEATH.” (Rev. 1:18.) He is Master of the prison house; He holds the keys and none can take them from His hand; and He will keep His own safely evermore. He has put the waters of His death between His beloved ones and their foes, and none can reach them now, or take them from His hands.

It is well to be the Lord’s freed men; to know the love that led Him to take our place and bear the penalty of our sins. To see Him risen in mighty power, holding in His victorious hands the keys of hell and of death. May you know Him thus, my reader, and rejoice in the great deliverance which He has brought.