The world over, most free countries have a system of justice represented by a common iconic statue or symbol, frequently adorning the nations’ courthouses. It will always be a lady holding a sword and a set of scales; she may or may not be blind-folded. Lady Justice as she is commonly called, is the symbol and personification of justice, based on Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice.
Justitia is most often depicted with a set of scales typically suspended from her right hand, upon which she measures the strengths of a case’s support and opposition. She is also often seen carrying a double-edged sword in her left hand, symbolizing the power of Reason and Justice, which may be wielded either for or against any party. The blindfold represents objectivity, in that justice is or should be meted out objectively. Or thats the idea.
Now, suppose a senior judge painstakingly mete out heavy judgements on hard criminals and offenders. But one day, he helplessly relented because waiting upon his judgment is his very own son who broke the law. The judge softly declared his son free.
Although the judge let off his son because of his love for his own son, but because of the judge’s status and position, everyone will condemn the judge as corrupt and unrighteous. Unfit to rule and judge.
What would a righteous judge would have done?
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, … We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. … God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26
God, the Father who is fair and just; although love us-His children, cannot wittingly free us from judgement from the law of our sin. When absolute love and justice collide, which one should give way? If I am to be judged under “lady justice”, I am quite sure of my outcome; without the blind-fold, without the scales; I know the sword will chopped me up because the law is unyielding and unbending.
Thank God, there is another symbol that depicts justice to an even higher level.
That’s the cross…
The cross is the symbol of the Father’s complete justice. But much more than that, it is also the symbol for His overflowing love. At the cross, both seemingly opposing unconditional demands are met in the most amazing manner that satisfy both through the sacrifice, Jesus Christ.
Undeserving kindness, unmerited mercy that declares us righteous and worthy; made right with God the Father in His sight.
You only have to believe in Jesus Christ, our sacrifice at the cross. He alone, fulfilled both God’s justice and love for us. He alone, took our punishment of our sins and gave us His righteousness.
The cross fulfilled the symbol of ultimate justice and Jesus is the personification that justice but overflowing with mercy and love.
King David 