Today we cry for justice. We want the guilty to be punished. This is how wrongs are made right. But if man cries for justice from God he may not like what he gets. For if man got justice we would all be sentenced to death, for all of us have sinned. I found the following story from “Sermon Illustrations” shows this point perfectly.

In the Supreme Court case between Humanity and Satan, proceedings took on a surprising turn in the courtroom when Judge God read out the charge against the defendant (humanity).

Sin was the main charge with a list of violations being read out, some minor and seemingly insignificant, while others were major and grotesque. The plaintiff, Satan, sneered and was getting ready for his closing statement of damnation and requesting the death penalty. One last witness requested to take the stand to state His witness.

It was then that the Judge gasped and humanity looked surprised. Jesus took the stand and after being sworn in to tell the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth, He requested of Judge God to please [allow him to] take the place and any punishment that might be assigned to humanity as a result of the crime that was committed.

Everyone sighed, humanity cried in disbelief and the plaintiff Satan lost his grin and became angry. After the Judge had a look at Articles 9 of Hebrews, subsection 12 to 28, He accepted the life of Jesus in the place of humanity and what followed was the harshest sentence that was ever laid down on anyone: as the Judge read out the punishment for the crime all became quiet… The Death penalty was imposed on the criminal. No mitigating circumstance was offered or accepted. No mercy was forthcoming. He accepted His fate. He smiled. Love permeated from Him. The peace in the courtroom was beyond words, yet the anger of the Judge was unspeakable. He turned away and would not look at the criminal being led away.

He was led away to Calvary, where He would be executed with the other criminals.

The plaintiff Satan smiled; justice had been served. Jesus took humanity’s place, and the price was paid by His precious blood, once for all.

2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday morning at 10:30 on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and website: tomahawkmbc.com.