The Ransomed of the Lord

“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”  - Isaiah 35:10  

    I hope the reader will indulge me with one short observation on the subject of Jesus giving Himself a ransom for His people.  Never in all the annals of mankind was there ever heard of such unparalleled love.  Suppose some generous prince, out of compassion to any of his captive subjects, were to abridge his pleasures, and give large sums of money to bring them out of captivity - how would the deed be applauded, and his name be idolized to all generations!  But supposing this generous prince was to give himself for them, and exchange their persons in slavery by voluntarily surrendering up himself to such a state - what would be said of this?  And yet the Lord Jesus hath done this, and infinitely more, not for friends, but enemies; not for those who loved Him, but those who hated Him; and not only by slavery, but by death.  He hath died for them, washed them in His blood, brought them out of slavery and the shadow of death, and hath broken their bonds asunder, and purchased for them an endless state of happiness, and is gone before to take possession of it in their name, and will come again to receive them to Himself, that where He is, there they may be also.  Wonder, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth, for the LORD hath done it!