The Injustice on God – The Cross 9/23/13
The Injustice on God – The Cross
The injustice done on God at the Cross brought us our justification to righteousness, our salvation, continued sanctification, and our final redemption. What was this injustice? As we investigate, it will help us understand what Christ did for us and cause greater appreciation for His sacrifice that paid for all our sins now and forever. We should not have any doubt of our final destiny with God.
Here is injustice as captured by this headline on April 9, 2013. “Innocent Man Released From Prison After Spending 42 Years For Arson Conviction. Faulty fire science has contributed to another wrongful conviction. Louis Taylor, who spent 42 years in prison wrongfully convicted of setting a hotel fire in 1970 that killed 29 people in Tucson, Arizona, was released last Tuesday. New methods of the investigation showed that there was no evidence of arson as the cause of the 1970 hotel fire”.
Here is another one on March 23, 2013, “Innocent man (David Ranta, now 58 years) released after 23 years in jail suffers heart attack on second day of freedom”. He was wrongfully convicted in 1991 in New York for the killing of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi during a botched robbery.
We cry injustice because we know what injustice and justice is. In the cases of Taylor and Ranta and many others, they were wrongfully convicted based on false evidence at time of trial and sentencing. Of course many did not and still do not have a chance to be released like Taylor or Ranta but have been hanged, executed all of over the world because of man’s inadequate justice system.
Now let’s look at the injustice on God. At the time of conviction and sentencing, Jesus was proved innocent and therefore did not deserve any punishment and not even death. Listen to Pilate, “4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” John 19:4.
The punishment of a person who has been found beyond doubt as innocent is injustice at the highest level. Pilate repeated Christ’s innocence three times and even washed his hands of any responsibility for Jesus’ death. Have you ever suffered injustice? Not at this level, have you?
How can the God of the whole universe stand and take the injustice of man? He did so because He chose to. Here is Jesus’ further encounter with Pilate during this mocking trial, “Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free”… 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” John 19:10-12, 15.
John 19: 16-18; 28-30: The Crucifixion and The Death of Jesus
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle….
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Here are some further observations. Like He said in John 10:17-18, “I lay down my life”, Jesus willingly died on the cross after he declared “It is finished”. What was finished? The mission for which He came for. Jesus came to die for our sins. It is recorded, “Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Did you see that? Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Look at the word “gave”. He gave up his spirit and died so He will fulfill all the requirements for declaring us righteous – as never sinned.
Here is further confirmation that Jesus willingly died. Note that the two thieves had to be killed by the sword unlike Jesus. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
So what that Jesus died willingly? The point is that it was not an accident and after thought on God’s part to send His Only Son to die for mankind. It was not coercion therefore it is a substitution. He willingly took our place and punishment. If you kill someone who did not willingly agree to die for someone else, that is murder and not a sacrifice. “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
There should be no doubt that our sins have been completely paid for by Jesus Christ. That is why we can trust Jesus with the absolute confidence for our salvation from sin and reconciliation to a just and holy God. Do you have this absolute assurance or do you think you can add works to what Jesus has done? It is all by grace through faith we are saved. This is the greatest news ever – that my sins no longer count against me. All my guilt is gone and I am free to live for God. Do you believe?
Let’s GO tell this good news to everyone. The greatest love we can show anyone is to point them to Jesus Christ that they may believe. Believe what? That Jesus willingly died, was buried and rose again and for that; all my sins are washed, blotted and I am declared righteous in God’s sight. I am no longer going to hell because of my sins.
Hey, come on fellow Ambassador and represent your God to this world. “20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” 2 Corinthians 5:20. Can God plead thru you to your neighbors, friends, co-workers and etc.? Tell someone today. Thank you and May God help us to do so. Amen.
The injustice done on God at the Cross brought us our justification to righteousness, our salvation, continued sanctification, and our final redemption. What was this injustice? As we investigate, it will help us understand what Christ did for us and cause greater appreciation for His sacrifice that paid for all our sins now and forever. We should not have any doubt of our final destiny with God.
Here is injustice as captured by this headline on April 9, 2013. “Innocent Man Released From Prison After Spending 42 Years For Arson Conviction. Faulty fire science has contributed to another wrongful conviction. Louis Taylor, who spent 42 years in prison wrongfully convicted of setting a hotel fire in 1970 that killed 29 people in Tucson, Arizona, was released last Tuesday. New methods of the investigation showed that there was no evidence of arson as the cause of the 1970 hotel fire”.
Here is another one on March 23, 2013, “Innocent man (David Ranta, now 58 years) released after 23 years in jail suffers heart attack on second day of freedom”. He was wrongfully convicted in 1991 in New York for the killing of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi during a botched robbery.
We cry injustice because we know what injustice and justice is. In the cases of Taylor and Ranta and many others, they were wrongfully convicted based on false evidence at time of trial and sentencing. Of course many did not and still do not have a chance to be released like Taylor or Ranta but have been hanged, executed all of over the world because of man’s inadequate justice system.
Now let’s look at the injustice on God. At the time of conviction and sentencing, Jesus was proved innocent and therefore did not deserve any punishment and not even death. Listen to Pilate, “4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” John 19:4.
The punishment of a person who has been found beyond doubt as innocent is injustice at the highest level. Pilate repeated Christ’s innocence three times and even washed his hands of any responsibility for Jesus’ death. Have you ever suffered injustice? Not at this level, have you?
How can the God of the whole universe stand and take the injustice of man? He did so because He chose to. Here is Jesus’ further encounter with Pilate during this mocking trial, “Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free”… 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” John 19:10-12, 15.
John 19: 16-18; 28-30: The Crucifixion and The Death of Jesus
16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle….
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Here are some further observations. Like He said in John 10:17-18, “I lay down my life”, Jesus willingly died on the cross after he declared “It is finished”. What was finished? The mission for which He came for. Jesus came to die for our sins. It is recorded, “Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Did you see that? Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Look at the word “gave”. He gave up his spirit and died so He will fulfill all the requirements for declaring us righteous – as never sinned.
Here is further confirmation that Jesus willingly died. Note that the two thieves had to be killed by the sword unlike Jesus. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
So what that Jesus died willingly? The point is that it was not an accident and after thought on God’s part to send His Only Son to die for mankind. It was not coercion therefore it is a substitution. He willingly took our place and punishment. If you kill someone who did not willingly agree to die for someone else, that is murder and not a sacrifice. “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
There should be no doubt that our sins have been completely paid for by Jesus Christ. That is why we can trust Jesus with the absolute confidence for our salvation from sin and reconciliation to a just and holy God. Do you have this absolute assurance or do you think you can add works to what Jesus has done? It is all by grace through faith we are saved. This is the greatest news ever – that my sins no longer count against me. All my guilt is gone and I am free to live for God. Do you believe?
Let’s GO tell this good news to everyone. The greatest love we can show anyone is to point them to Jesus Christ that they may believe. Believe what? That Jesus willingly died, was buried and rose again and for that; all my sins are washed, blotted and I am declared righteous in God’s sight. I am no longer going to hell because of my sins.
Hey, come on fellow Ambassador and represent your God to this world. “20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” 2 Corinthians 5:20. Can God plead thru you to your neighbors, friends, co-workers and etc.? Tell someone today. Thank you and May God help us to do so. Amen.
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