A Chinese mandarin (which means, you know, a great nobleman) was ordered by the Emperor of China to be put to death because he had acted wrongly and dishonestly in a business matter which had been entrusted to him. The mandarin’s son, a boy only fifteen years old, was so grieved at the idea of his father being killed, that he went to the Emperor, and begged that he might be put to death instead. The Emperor was very surprised to have so strange a favor asked of him, and he felt much for the brave boy who so loved his father as to wish to die instead of him. He told the son that neither should be put to death, as he would spare the mandarin’s life, and that, to show how much he liked to see children love their parents, he would make him a great man, and give him grand rewards.
This is a beautiful example of the love of Christ to us as sinners. We were guilty and under the sentence of death and judgment, but the Lord Jesus died in our place. He bore all the righteous judgment of God for the sins of all those who believe in Him, that we might go free.
Now He is risen and seated at the right hand of God in heaven. Just as the boy in our story was rewarded for offering to die in his father’s place, so the Lord Jesus, who died for us, has been exalted to the highest place in heaven. All honor is His now, and we who are saved gladly bow the knee to Him. In a coming day, all will have to bow the knee to Him, but alas, with many it will then be too late to be saved. They will be judged forever for their sins.
“At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow.... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Philippians 2: 10, 11.
ML 05/23/1954