Two young boys attended the same school: George Washington and Peter Miller. Washington became the first President of the United States, and Peter Miller grew up to become a preacher of the gospel. Washington, as President, lived at Philadelphia, and the humble Miller dwelt at Ephrata, a village seventy miles from the capital.
For many years the preacher endured much persecution from a man named Michael Wittman, who did all in his power to distress the servant of God. He even inflicted personal violence, damaged the building, and publicly denounced the preacher's testimony.
At length Wittman was involved in treason. He was arrested, and sentenced to death. Upon hearing this, the old preacher walked the seventy miles to Philadelphia to plead for the life of his persecutor. He presented himself before President Washington, who greeted him with, "Well, Peter, what can I do for you?”
"For our old acquaintance sake, George, I have come to beg the life of the traitor Wittman.”
"No, Peter; this case is too black: I cannot give you the life of your friend.”
"My friend! He is the bitterest enemy any man ever had." And then Peter Miller told the President what he had suffered from this man for over twenty years.
"Ah, then, Peter; this puts another aspect upon the matter. I could not give you the life of your friend; but I will freely pardon your enemy.”
On the third day the preacher and his old-time persecutor walked back the seventy miles to Ephrata. The man's heart was melted by the pardon and by Miller's forgiving spirit. He was soundly converted to God. Peter baptized him; and the criminal was brought into the joy of God's salvation.
Friend, do you not see that this is the meaning of Calvary? You cannot be saved as a friend of God; but you can be saved as an enemy! If you are the blackest sinner outside heaven, in the heart of Jesus there is a free pardon awaiting you and all who come unto God by Him. This is the meaning of the cross of Christ!
Two possible methods of dealing with crime are practiced in a court of justice. The judge could say: "You are clearly proved guilty, but I dismiss you. You may leave the court.”
This is executive clemency, and may be thought merciful, but it would not be justice. It would be false mercy.
Or the judge might say: "You are guilty; and I pronounce upon you the full penalty of the law." This would be justice, but justice without mercy.
God deals in both! Justice and mercy are His prerogatives. Rom. 3:2626To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26) declares "His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." He pronounces the severity of His justice on the sinner's Substitute [Christ), and sends the offender free, rejoicing in the mercy that blots out all his sins, and even justifies him in the eye of the law. This is the meaning of the cross of Christ!
"God could not pass the sinner by,
His sin demands that he must die;
But in the cross of Christ we see
How God can save, yet righteous be.”