“Friend, this I do for you.” The stranger reached out and touched my hand.“But sir,” I protested. “I don’t even know you. How can you think of taking my place?”
The stranger smiled the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. “Trust me,” He said. “All will be well.”
Suddenly the guards were there. They seized the stranger and pulled Him away.
“No...!” I cried as His hand slipped from my grasp.
In horror, I watched as they beat Him to the ground. He didn’t even struggle or try to protect Himself.
They bound His wrists then kicked Him and spat on Him..
“Stop it!” I yelled. “Stop it! Can’t you see He is innocent? I am the guilty one.”
I shook the bars of my prison door, but the guards ignored me.
“Please,” I begged. “Tell them you’re innocent. Tell them I’m the one they’re after, not you.”
The stranger looked up with eyes full of love and compassion and my heart broke in two.
What could I do? What could I say?
I could think of nothing as the guards pulled Him to His feet and dragged Him away.
In a daze, I staggered away from the prison door. Tears flooded my eyes and I fell to my knees.
I was the cause of the stranger’s suffering. I buried my face in my hands, but could not escape the look of compassion I had seen in His eyes.
Darkness closed in and nothing broke through the gloom.
Then I heard a sound and looked up as the prison door swung open. Brilliant sunlight flooded in and shadows rushed away.
There stood the Son of God; the One Who had taken my place.
In fear, I fell at His feet.
He reached down and lifted me up. “Do not be afraid, I have come not to judge, but to save. I have come to give you life.”
“But it was because of what I have done, that you died. It should have been me.”
“Yes,” said the Lord. “But I chose to do it. I gave my life, so that you could be free.” He smiled down at me. “No one took my life. I gave it as a gift.”
- Rulan's Heart For God
This was a beautiful illustration.
I only wish that more would walk in the freedom our Lord laid down His life to give us.