Introducing the Justice Conversation

Scripture:
Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.
Isaiah 42:1-4

Observation: Three times in four verses, Isaiah declares the purpose of Messiah, which is ... justice. However, this justice is not a negative judgment, but rather it is a gift to people. The Chosen One will bring justice to the gentiles, bring justice for truth, and establish justice in the earth.

This is a lesson I learned just yesterday. God is completely and totally just, meaning he gives to everyone what they deserve. In this, since it is impossible for humans in our evil ways to conform to the law, to totally honor and obey the Lord, and to avoid detestable acts, God will bring justice upon all of us. That justice is ... punishment and death. The Messiah came to take care of that justice, but in a surprising manner. The Elect One, God's Servant, the one with God's Spirit ... he did not come to exact justice upon all mankind, but rather to absorb the just punishment. As the only one undeserving of such punishment, he received it for me. It is by him that justice was poured out on all mankind, without us bearing the brunt of it, as the act of God's great mercy. Any anyone willing to accept that form of justice will receive it.

Application: This, again, was a lesson I just learned yesterday. It is the model that describes how God can be both fully merciful, and fully just. Yes, I have known that Jesus died on the cross to forgive my sin, but I did not fully see how that aligned to justice and mercy.

Isaiah called it out. He declared the purpose of Messiah, and it was ultimately a mission of justice. However, as Jesus in John 3:17, this justice was not about condemning people, but saving them.

Prayer: Lord, I am deserving of your justice, but instead you have given me your mercy. It is in this manner I understand the personal impact of Jesus' sacrifice, and I give you the glory. I cannot repay this gift, but I will serve you, obey you, and praise you. None of these will I do as well or often or purely as I should, but I do give you my heart. Please continue to soften me, mold me, guide me, and use me, as I am your servant and you are my Lord. Amen.