I recently became aware of a dear friend dealing with a traumatic family situation. Her nephew had been arrested, caught on video hiring a hit man (under cover police) and consequently sentenced for attempted murder. Was justice served? I guess that answer depends on which side of the court room you are sitting in, or does it? My friend argues the sentence was unjust, severe. After all, his intent was in words only; the crime was not carried out. Yet, from the plaintiffs perspective, their life preserved, justice was indeed served.
Let’s take a look at it from Gods point of view. We shall all stand before him one day and give an account of our lives.
Matthew 12:36-37 – But I say to you, that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 7:23 – “It is what comes out of a person,” he went on, “that makes him unclean. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come forth wicked thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, arrogance, foolishness….All these wicked things come from within, and they make a person unclean.”
Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
So where’s the Mercy? He is incarcerated, away from his family, how then, can this be mercy?
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
In a heavenly courtroom mercy was served by offering him yet another opportunity to receive life over death. Eternal life versus eternal damnation. The forgiveness, available to all sinners. An open invitation extended, come to the foot of the cross, repent, receive salvation, receive life.
I was once found guilty and sentenced for life, but someone took my place and served my sentence. He served that sentence on a cross some 2,000 years ago. God chose justice then so He can extend mercy now.