HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOR!

Several times in the past few weeks I have had a conversation which contained the sentiment that we will not find perfect justice this side of eternity. We do not have a perfectly just democracy or a perfectly just judicial system. Try as we might we continually fall short. And while it might be the best effort of a fallen humanity and while we attempt to ensure an impartial judiciary, our system is imperfect. As believers, we have been commanded by the Creator of all things to be just and merciful at the same time. Too often, in our world, the wealthy and powerful take advantage of their position and abuse those who are not.

Today’s reading in the Psalms (82) has God asking, “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” God hates an impartial judgement. God hates the abuse of those who He describes as “weak, fatherless, afflicted, destitute and needy.” And the really challenging part of this psalm for me are those commands to His people. He says we are to “vindicate, do justice, rescue and deliver” those who find themselves victims of an unjust judgment or system. This truly is the example of Jesus…but He took it a step further.

Jesus mercifully came to those who were weak, who needed a Father, who were afflicted by their own sin, who had nothing of value to give for their lives and who were needy. And He served justice by taking upon Himself the punishment that we deserved. He gave Himself for us. He stooped to become an en-fleshed and, while we deserved death and not His grace or mercy, He gave regardless. This Easter, ponder the depth of His sacrifice for you and how justice met mercy in the person of Christ. Then consider how He might express these same qualities through you to your world! Hallelujah! What a Savior!