When Mercy Triumped Over Justice

By Dr. Ron Jones

Shortly after the Civil War, when the Union army clearly defeated the Confederate army, a reporter asked President Lincoln: “Mr. President, what will you do with all the rebellious Southerners who return to the Union?”

The reporter aimed to provoke the President, hoping to hear him say they would face harsh punishment. Unexpectedly, the President replied, “I will treat them as if they had never been away.” On that day in history, mercy triumphed over justice.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Perhaps His words influenced President Lincoln’s response to the reporters’ question. Are you a merciful person? On another day in history, when mercy triumphed over justice, Jesus died on the cross for your sins.

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