In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.

Devotion based on Isaiah 42:3,4

Some of the greatest heroes in history are those who have fought for justice. In American history, the emancipation of slaves, the fight for women’s suffrage, and the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement are all times when great men and women have made great sacrifices in pursuit of justice. Stirring speeches have encouraged those who listened not to give up the cause until there is justice for all.

The Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah about the work that the Messiah, the Savior, would come to do. He said that he would bring justice. And he would not give up, falter, or be discouraged until it was finished.

But if we look at ourselves honestly in the mirror of God’s law, justice is a frightful thought. True justice not only pursues the end of unjust oppression, but it also pursues proper punishment for those who have done wrong. God’s justice says that the proper punishment for disobeying even one of his laws is death and unending suffering in hell. To let the lawbreaker off without a penalty would not be just and make God’s law meaningless.

Jesus came to bring justice, but not in the way we might expect. Jesus came to bring justice by surrendering himself to justice in our place. Because we could not go free without justice being carried out, Jesus assumed our guilt and surrendered to the just penalties we deserved. There was no plea bargain, no legal loopholes. He faced every charge and suffered every punishment.

One hymn writer put it this way: “Many hands were raised to wound him; none would intervene to save; but the deepest stroke that pierced him was the stroke that justice gave.” In love, Jesus willingly suffered horrible things at the hands of angry human enemies. Even more, in love, he willingly suffered the stroke of God’s justice, the punishment of hell for you and me.

Because he did, the punishment for our sins has been carried out. Now, we are justly counted as innocent in God’s eyes. And only the reward of eternal life remains.

Prayer:

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