Mark this, my soul! See how Jesus cared for his sheep even in his hour of trial! The ruling passion is strong in death. He surrenders himself to his enemies, but he speaks a word of power to set his disciples free. For himself? Like a sheep before the shearers, he is silent and doesn't open his mouth. But for his disciples? He speaks with almighty energy. This is love—constant, self-forgetting, faithful love.

But wait. There's far more here than meets the eye. Don't we see the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep and demands that they must go free. The Substitute is bound, and justice demands that those he represents must be released.

Listen! That voice rings out with divine power through every bondage: "Let these go their way!" From the slavery of Egypt, from the chains of sin and Satan, the redeemed must come forth. In every cell of Despair's dungeon, the echo sounds: "Let these go their way!" And out come Despondency and Much-afraid.

Satan hears that voice he knows too well and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen. Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise. And the way they walk? It is a path of progress, holiness, triumph, and glory. No one dares to block their way. No lion prowls that road. No ravenous beast hunts there.

"The hind of the morning" has drawn all the cruel hunters to himself. Now the most timid deer of the field can graze in perfect peace among the lilies of his love. The thunder-cloud has burst over Calvary's cross, and the pilgrims heading to Zion will never be struck by the lightning bolts of vengeance.

Come then, my heart! Rejoice in the immunity your Redeemer has secured for you. Bless his name all day long—and every day.