MANY years ago, when the city of Nancy in France had been captured in battle, the victorious Charles the Bold ordered that every tenth person in the town should be slain.
The inhabitants—young and old—were assembled in a line along the principal street of the city. Then, at a word from the Conqueror, a herald went forth and began to count. Each person on whom fell the fatal number ten was to be sent to be executed by the sword.
Near the head of the line the Governor of the city and his only daughter were placed. He had long resisted the siege, supported by the heroic girl by his side, but it had been in vain.
Watching the movements of the herald and hearing him count aloud, the daughter of the Governor saw by a rapid glance that the dreaded number was about to fall on her father. Instantly she slipped behind him and placed herself on the other side. Before the old man was aware of her object, the number which should have been his had fallen upon his daughter.
He stood for a moment stupefied with astonishment and grief, and then called out to the herald: "Justice! Justice! "
"What is the matter, old man?” demanded the herald, before passing on.
"The count is wrong! There is a mistake. Not her! “exclaimed the father, as the executioners were laying their hands upon the girl, " take me, for I was the tenth! "
"Not so," said his daughter calmly, "you all saw that the number came to me."
"She put herself in my way—she took my place—let the blow fall on me! " pleaded the old man; while she as earnestly insisted that she was the chosen victim.
Amazed to see two persons striving for the privilege of death at their hands, the executioners dragged them both before Charles.
Here we will pause to consider the act of self-sacrificing devoted love which far surpasses even the noble action of that loving girl. Jesus, God's beloved Son, came down from heaven to take the sinner's place. At the cross of Calvary the stroke of divine justice fell on His head that sinners might be saved.
He knew that the judgment must fall not on every tenth person—but on every one, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and so He took the sinner's place and bore the punishment instead. What boundless grace was His to cause Him to endure the judgment which must have fallen upon us as guilty sinners. It was love that brought Him down.
But to return to our story. Charles had some pity, notwithstanding his violent temper, and he was greatly moved by the sight that met his eyes. " I pray you hear me! " cried the girl, throwing herself at his feet. "My life is of no account—then let me die. But spare—oh! spare him, the best and noblest of men."
"Do not listen to her!” exclaimed the old man. "You beheld her courage, her self-sacrifice, and I see that you are touched! You will not, you cannot, destroy so precious a life”
Strange to say, tears came into the eyes of the cruel Conqueror, and with his voice shaking with emotion he cried. "Neither shall die! Old man! fair maiden! I spare your lives and for your sakes the lives of all these people, for I have gained the knowledge that love is greater than kingly power, and mercy is sweeter than vengeance."
Thus unexpectedly deliverance came to the one who was ready to die for her father, but there was no deliverance for Jesus, if He were to accomplish the great work of redemption and set us free. Some who saw Jesus on the cross cried in derision: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save! " but they little knew how true their words were, for—
“Himself He could not save,
He on the cross must die,
Or mercy could not come
To ruined sinners nigh.
Yes, Jesus' precious blood must flow, That sinners might forgiveness know."
What joy and thanksgiving filled the city of Nancy that day, while the devoted girl, whose heroic conduct had saved not only her father, but one-tenth of the people from massacre, was the center of their affectionate admiration.
Thus in heaven the Lord Jesus will be the center of the redeemed, who will, say: "Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood—to Him be glory."
Jesus loved even unto death. Do you love Him? Have you trusted your soul to Him, the only Savior, and thanked Him for the greatest sacrifice of all?
F. S. M.