A ROMAN NOBLE

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

Perhaps you have already heard the story of a young Roman man who had been condemned to death. He had committed a crime of treason and had just been sentenced to death by the judge, when his elder brother who had served his country on the battlefield stepped forward, defending it against the enemies and losing both arms.

He, standing before the judges, raising the stumps of his broken arms, interceded for his brother's life; not for what his brother had done, but for what he, the intercessor, had done. He recognized that his brother was a criminal and deserving of death; but, for what he had done in defense of his country, he begged his life to be spared. Considering the arguments of this noble Roman, the judges, by their merits, pardoned the criminal brother.

It is exactly what Christ does for all of us, sinners. Christ died on Calvary so we could live. We deserve death; but through the intercession of Christ, who gave His life to save us, God forgives our sins.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; so that whatever you ask in the name of the Father, he may grant it to you. " John 15:16

- The Traveler's Guide.