Harold S. Paisley
1. On the Cross
A thousand years before the Saviour was nailed to the cross, David, as moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke of His pierced feet. "Dogs have compassed me, and the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet" (Psa. 22:16).
The blessed feet of our Lord Jesus, who went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil, were nailed to the tree that the feet of multitudes might walk the golden streets of heaven. Every blessing received by grace, through faith, enjoyed now and forever are on the foundation of the purchase price of redemption through the precious blood of Christ. The feet seen in all the perfection of holiness, obedience, lowliness and grace in His pathway of wondrous love, led our glorious Saviour to the cross. "Thy path uncheered by earthly smiles, led only to the cross.’ May we always remember that those blessed feet were pierced on our account.
We wonder daily at this fact: fifty two bones remained unbroken (twenty-six in each foot), although the spike used was rough metal, hastily driven by cruel hands. "He keepeth all His bones, not one of them is broken" (Psa. 36:20). Those pierced feet tell the wondrous story of the Saviour’s love, God’s power, Satan’s enmity and the sinner’s hope.
Since we see what it cost the Son of God to save us, and through faith alone in Him all the value of His redeeming work is reckoned to us, shall we not sing from our heart in sacred melody,
See from His head, His hands,
His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
2. In the Upper Room
A company of sad disciples, with hopes shattered like chaff before the wind, thought Christ had come to set up an earthly kingdom. But He was crucified and buried and they were cast down in grief. They were gathered together in the upper room, the doors being shut for fear of the Jews. News had reached their ears that some of the women of their company had seen Him and He was risen and had appeared unto Peter. As they were thus engaged in sneaking of these things the Lord Himself appeared in their midst saying "peace be unto you." The disciples were terrified and supposed they had seen His Spirit. The Lord Jesus calmed their fears and said, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself." He showed them His feet. Here we see one of the infallible proofs of His resurrection. He has suffered the death of the cross, borne the penalty due to sin and is risen from among the dead. He is risen and His feet with the wounds of Calvary are a proof of resurrection. He is our living hope for whom we wait and who will give us bodies of glory like His own when He comes again (Phil. 3:20-2 1).
The Saviour lives, no more to
die
He lives, our Head, enthroned on high;
He lives, triumphant o’er the grave,
He lives, eternally to save.
(To be continued)