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WHAT HAPPENED WHEN TWO JUDGES MET By Walter L. Wilson, M.D. |
A telephone call came to the office one day, and upon answering it, a woman’s voice asked: "Could you spare the time to meet my father at the hotel tomorrow? He lives out of the city and will come in on the bus line if you will give him a little of your time. He is very anxious to see you about an important matter, but being old and rather feeble, he feels that he cannot go out to your office."
This seemed to be a call from God, and I was happy to answer that it would be a pleasure to meet her father at whatever hour he might find it convenient to come. "At two o’clock in the afternoon would be the best time," she said, so this arrangement was agreed upon.
The next day I called at the hotel and found, sitting in the lobby, a very old gentleman, having a long white beard, beautiful white hair and large bushy eyebrows. I approached him and asked whether he was waiting to see someone, to which he replied that he was waiting for the doctor who had promised to meet him there at two o’clock. After introducing myself to him, we followed his suggestion and found seats on the mezzanine floor where we could be alone for our conversation.
The judge said, "I have been a judge in the county court not far from Kansas City for many years. I am an old man as you can see, and have sent many men to the penitentiary. I am now nearing the end of my own life and I know quite well that the great Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25) will send me to His penitentiary, for I have not been a Christian nor made any provision whatever for the sins that are recorded against me. I have come to you, doctor, to see if there is any remedy for an old man whose life has been spent in worldly pursuits, with no fear of God and no Christian training."
It was interesting to observe, with mingled feelings, that here was a life spent in the service of his fellow men, enjoying the blessing of God, but untouched by the grace of God and unmoved by His goodness. I could see that the judge was not trifling. He was in real earnest. Life at eighty is not full of foolishness. Things more serious occupy the mind and heart. The judge was facing death and after death the judgment.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27.
The one who had judged others realized that now he must be judged himself. He knew that the record was filled with sins of every kind and character. He remembered that no one had been engaged to defend him at this great bar of justice. He was aware of the fact, too, that no provision had been made for the pleading of his cause; and he realized that there were no extenuating circumstances which could be presented to the Judge for the willful sins of many years. He felt that his case was hopeless.
Taking my Bible, I turned to John 5:24. Here we read those wonderful words:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
As those words were read slowly: "Shall not come into condemnation," the judge became very attentive. His curiosity was aroused at once. "I never heard those words before," he said. "What is the meaning of the passage? Is it possible that a sinful man may escape the judgment?"
My aged friend was quite familiar with judgments, courts and trials, with all the accompanying evidence and arguments. These subjects had been his portion for many years. It was the judgment he feared and which he wanted to escape. No wonder these five great words from the lips of the Lord Jesus stirred his soul with a wonderful hope. His whole desire now was to know how this statement could be true in his case.
In order to explain the passage and answer his question, I chose Colossians 2:14, where these words are recorded: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."
"Judge," I said, "you will understand of course, that where there is a plain case of guilt and the evidence is undeniable, the only escape for the defendant is that someone will pay the price."
"Yes, I understand that perfectly; but where can I find one who will pay my price?"
"Oh," I replied, "that is the story of the last Scripture we just read. Christ at the cross was paying your price. Because He was a sufficient Saviour and was acceptable to God for you, God let Him die for you at Calvary, taking your punishment, bearing your sins, becoming guilty of your wicked ways and evil deeds. There He died in your room and stead that you might go free."
The old gentleman was in a deep study by this time. I could see that his heart was greatly affected by this new revelation of a substitute in the judgment. His eyes were closed under those great bushy eyebrows, and as I placed my hand on his I felt that his body was trembling with emotion. He looked at me shortly, and said, "Did He do that for me, doctor?"
"Yes, judge," I was happy to reply, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10. You are the lost man. It was you He came to save. Will you trust Him to do it?"
With a trembling voice filled with emotion, he answered, "Yes, I will gladly trust Him. I never knew before that God had sent Him to die in my place, to take my punishment, to suffer for me. I thank Him for it. I believe His word. He said it and it must be so."
I knelt beside the chair, holding his hand in mine, and with deep gratitude praised the Saviour for His wonderful love, thanked God for His gracious work, and thanked the Holy Spirit for revealing the Saviour to this aged sinner who had sought and found the Saviour.
Do not wait, my friend, until you are eighty. Trust Christ now! You may never have the opportunity which God gave the old judge at his advanced age. This judge met his JUDGE, and the records were cleared before the judgment day. You do this, too!
First printed in 1935 by The Moody Colportage Library
Dear Friend, in the eyes of a holy God it matters not what our social standing or our political position is. The Word of God clearly states: "...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;" (Isaiah 64:6). It matters not if you are:
A judge or a junkie
A governor or a gangbanger
A homemaker or a hooker
A policeman or a pusher
If you are not saved, you are destined to the same Christless eternity that the devil himself is! "For there is no respect of persons with God." Romans 2:11.
GOOD WORKS DO NOT SAVE!
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5.
The judge in our story was no doubt a highly respected man in his community. He made his courtroom decisions with careful consideration of the law. Yet in his heart he knew that he was a sinner in need of the Saviour!
BAD WORKS WILL NOT CONDEMN!
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God....He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:18,36.
Our past sins do not condemn us or cut us off from God. The only thing that prevents us from being part of God’s family is our relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
For those who reject His Son, God accepts
no excuse, hears no plea bargain, and never reduces a sentence. God’s Law Book allows only one verdict, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18.
YOU CAN PRAY AND SETTLE IT NOW!
"Dear Lord, I confess that I am a guilty sinner and that I need to be saved. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins. Right now I ask that Jesus come into my heart and save me. Amen."
Saved! Saved! My sins are all pardoned,
my guilt is all gone!
Saved! Saved! I am saved by the blood
of the Crucified One!
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour after reading this tract please write us. We would like to rejoice with you. lpm8998@core.com