When Satan tempts me to despair, 
And tells me of the guilt within, 
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died, 
My sinful soul is counted free; 
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me

Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863.

These well known words from the hymn, Before the throne of God above, remind us that it is God’s justice that brings comfort to despairing sinners in the shadow of the cross.  Satan may well tempt us to despair with our own unworthiness and the sin that so easily besets even those who have walked along the road of faith for many years.

But Peter tells us of the great transaction that occurred on that first Good Friday.  Why did Christ suffer and die, despised and rejected by men and God?

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24)

Our just God will not, cannot punish sin twice.  If Christ bore my sin then, I have no sin left to bare.  Truly, God the just is satisfied, to look on him and pardon me for my sin has already been answered for.