Thursday, March 28, 2013

Justice served

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

What is the price of justice?

You’ve seen reports of hideous crimes—kidnapping, premeditated murder, blackmail.  The news is filled with stories about terrorist attacks, government corruption, and swindlers who get rich through identity theft. There are adults who misuse children.  Organized crime destroys lives with drugs and violence.  When you think of the terrible pain such acts inflict, what price would satisfy the victims’ cry for justice?

But you have caused hurt too. There are many who are victims of your misbehavior.  The child who cried because you broke a promise.  The guy or girl you pressured into having sex before they were ready.  The boss you defrauded by taking long breaks or stealing from the office.  The shy and awkward kid that you pushed around or made fun of.  The friend you spread gossip about. The spouse you cheated on.  When you think of the awful hurt you have been responsible for, what price would satisfy the cry for justice?

When something seems unjust, we are quick to shout, “that’s not fair!”  We want the people who cause trouble to get what’s coming to them.  Of course, that desire for justice goes away when the blame falls on us.  When others desire our punishment, all of a sudden mercy looks a lot better than justice. 

What is the price of justice?  Look at Jesus nailed to the cross and you have your answer.  Listen to the Son of God cry out, my God, my God, why have You forsaken me? (Mark 15:34)  That, my friend, is hell—to have God completely turn away from you, to be cut off from the Lord who gave you life and surrounded you with His love every single day.  That is the price of justice.  That is what criminal scum deserve.  That is what you and I deserve for being selfish, irresponsible, cruel and uncaring.

But our Lord is merciful.  So God’s Son came to suffer the price of justice in our place.  Jesus experienced the horror of being cut off from God’s love so we don’t have to.  The Savior bled and died to make your forgiveness possible.  On the cross, justice was served—and thanks to Jesus, you don’t have to pay the price.

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