Reading: “If the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children, I will not go out free. Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever.”—Exodus 21:5–6

How sweet is scripture explained by scripture! Jesus said, when sacrifice and offering under the law were both unprofitable, “Mine ears hast thou opened” (Psalm 40:6). And elsewhere, “The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious” (Isaiah 50:5).

The apostle to the Hebrews decidedly explains this in reference to Christ (Hebrews 10:5). And what was all this but to shew the voluntary service of Jesus to the office and work of the Redeemer. Was not Jesus, in all that high work, the servant of Jehovah? Though he was in the form of God, and with Him it was no robbery to be equal with God, yet he made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant. And for whom did He this? Was it not, in effect, saying, like the Jewish servant, which was typical of Him, “I love my master, my father, in the work of redemption?” (see John 14:31). “I love my wife, my church, my spouse” (Song of Solomon 4:10). “I love my children: behold I, and the children thou hast given me” (Isaiah 8:18). And with all of this He says, “I will not go out free.”

Oh, precious Lord Jesus! Oh, for grace to love You and to serve You for ever!

“We are never nearer Christ than when we find ourselves lost in a holy amazement at His unspeakable love.”—John Owen 

Taken from The Poor Man’s Evening and Morning Portions by Rev. Robert Hawker, Works, Vol. 8; 1830. Edited by Aaron Dunlop for thinkgospel.com ©2013.