Justice

AN ANGEL IS SENT TO A GARDEN

 (Luke 22:43) There appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him in spirit.

 What was it like for that angel?  What was he thinking when he saw his Creator writhing

in anguish and agony in the dirt? The angel knew that Jesus could have called for more than 80,000 angels (Matthew 26:53) but only one was sent. Just one -- not to deliver -- but to strengthen Him for even greater suffering. 

Just one created angel on his way from Heaven to a garden to strengthen Omnipotence! 

Did he look up in wonder at myriads of stars the glorious One had made to adorn the night

sky -- and then look down in horror at the heart-broken One on the ground? 

At His word the fig tree had withered; He walked on water, He raised the dead.  

But oh - oh - oh, who can bear to look at Him now?  There is no sorrow like His sorrow

(Lamentations 1:12). Did that angel struggle to comprehend (1 Peter 1:12) how the Supreme

Ruler of the universe could be prostrate with killing grief?

Does that angel have an even greater question now?

Is his mind tortured when he sees redeemed sinners be careless about sin in their lives and

treat lightly the awful justice which made mercy possible?

Does he tremble to hear Christians say, almost casually, "If we confess our sin, He is faithful

and JUST to forgive us our sin" (1 John.1:9).  The angel notices that it does not say,

"Merciful to forgive" but "Just to forgive". 

The angel remembers that in Gethsemane he saw a little of the merciless JUSTICE, which

opened the door for mercy. Does he wonder why we forget so soon?

I know I cannot fathom the horrendous cost of justice borne by my Saviour, but I am compelled

to go on to grasp more of the mystery.  There is within me an aching longing to be stamped

through and through with steadfast, loyal love for the Lord Jesus.