During the Franco-Prussian war, men were drafted to serve in the Prussian army. A wealthy Prussian gentleman was called to go to the war. The marshal of the town came to him with the unwelcome tidings, and ordered him to prepare for military service. His poor wife and family were quite overcome with grief.
It so happened that an unmarried brother lived with them at the time. He bravely volunteered to become his brother’s substitute. Then, dressed in his brother’s uniform, he went into the front lines. He was killed in the first engagement with the enemy and buried on the battlefield.
Later on a second call for soldiers was made and again the Prussian gentleman was called for service. When the marshal went to him the second time, the gentleman said, “I am a dead man; you cannot compel me to go.”
“How can that be,” said the marshal in surprise, “when I see you standing alive before me?”
“I am dead and buried in yonder battlefield, in the person of my substitute, my own brother; and the law has no further claim on a dead man,” was the answer.
The case was tried in court, and the gentleman was declared by Prussian law to be legally free. The claims of the law had been met once, and it could not urge them again. It had claimed the man once, it had gotten his service which was unto death in the person of another; it could ask no more.
God’s holy claims against sin have all been met in the death of Christ, the believer’s substitute. The sinner who becomes identified with Christ by believing on Him, stands dead to the law.
Complete atonement Christ has made,
And to the utmost farthing paid.
Whatever His people owed;
Payment God will not twice demand,
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.
Dear young friends, can you say, “I am free from the law, for Jesus died for me.”?
ML 01/03/1965