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Have you ever been to court? In many court rooms today throughout our country people are sentenced for crimes committed against their neighbor, or against local authorities in some way. The writer of this article was in a court room once to see a man sentenced, and upon hearing the Judge's sentence, the man and his family cried for Mercy, but in this particular case there was none.

I would like to tell you a true story that took place in New York city in 1935. Many cities have to keep there courts open all night to handle the many crimes that take place. On this particular evening Mr. LaGuardia, the Mayor of that large city, showed up at a night court in the poorest section of the city. Upon dismissing the Judge for that evening, and taking control of the Judge's bench, Mr. LaGuardia began hearing testimony in case after case.

One particular case that evening touched the heart of the mayor. An elderly woman was brought before the Judge having been caught stealing bread. When she began to tell her testimony the mayor became upset. She said "I'm sorry your honor but I stole the bread because I have no money, and my grandchildren are going hungry." The mayor, acting as Judge for the night, said "I must punish you. Ten dollars or ten days in Jail." But as he was saying those words he was putting ten dollars into his own hat. He then stood with authority and fined each one present in the court 50 cents for living in a city "Where a person had to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat." His hat, was then passed around and each put in his fine, and some put in more. The woman left that evening with not only her fine paid, but with $47.50 to spend on food she so desperately needed.

What do you think about that? Do you think the mayor acting as Judge showed mercy? Were not the requirements of the law carried out? Remember, that mercy is kindness or compassion. Do you think it was displayed in this story? I would say that this Judge knew the law, and it's requirements, but he also had great compassion on this poor woman, showing kindness in this display of mercy.

But what about God's only Son, The Lord Jesus Christ. Did not He show the greatest display of mercy when he fulfilled the law's demands by taking our place in death on the cross. A poet once wrote this line in a hymn "Payment God will not twice demand." In other words, the Lord Jesus has made full payment for my sin, and I am not condemned, and that dear reader is the greatest story of Mercy man will ever know. Why not trust Him today. Out of love to you, He took your place, and died that you might live.

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