A Perversion of Justice

The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) faces me in a strong way today. Today I am face-to-face with Jesus, and I am not comfortable. I am not okay.

I am offended and ashamed. Today I am face-to-face with Jesus the Christ who saves me through a vicarious suffering that I continue to hate. He did not suffer in anticipation of my suffering; He suffered INSTEAD OF...

That frustrates my mind and heart for different reasons; it always has.

I am frustrated with God that sins must be paid for; let alone that the payment must be death and suffering. I hate that we are made whole through pain, suffering, and death. I realize there is nothing I can do to change this reality, and that God is sovereign. I realize God's will, plan, and wisdom is far beyond me, but I simply hate it in my mind, heart, and soul.

The second reason I am frustrated by my face-to-face with Jesus today is the realization of how undeserving He was for what was done to Him. In a world and time when I realize my call to stand for the orphaned, widowed, and oppressed, I am faced with a Jesus who was oppressed, afflicted, rejected, despised, wounded, and unduly punished.

My heart has been sliced with anger at reading in Isaiah 53:8,

"By a PERVERSION OF JUSTICE he was taken away."

As Christians we have been and are being called to fight for people who are marginalized. We are to be going places our governments have not. We are to fight for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves; the afflicted, oppressed, wounded, rejected, and despised.

Today I am face-to-face with Jesus, who was made an effect of a "perversion of justice". I am angry and uncomfortable.

I am ashamed that this perversion of justice was enacted on Jesus instead of me.

ME who deserves punishment INSTEAD OF a man who had committed no violence or deceit.

ME who has been guilty of numerous things INSTEAD OF one who even people of no faith recognize as wonderful, respectful, and beautiful.

My faith and righteousness is a perversion of justice, and I am angrily grateful to Jesus for it.

* May 1 marks the beginning of "30 Days w/Jesus"; a 30-day reading plan Tonya and I are embarking on with a few other people. If you are interested and would like to embark on this journey with us, let me know or go to http://www.tniv.com/Experience%20it/docs/plan_jesus_30.pdf

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LISTENING TO: Common Market (self-titled)

Christians Ain't That Great

Spoke with a friend last night who informed me some common friends of ours are splitting up. This was a couple I had really admired. I admired them for their faith and their lifestyle of faith which looked so different and more engaging than most Christians I can recall knowing.

My friend and I continued talking about how surprised Christians are to discover things like divorce happen to even them. We are almost blindsided more by the fact it is even POSSIBLE for Christian couples to get to a point where divorce happens.

I began to think further on WHY that is.

I think it has something to do with the fact that Christians forget that they hold themselves to a higher...er...a DIFFERENT moral standard, but that far from makes them morally superior.

There is a common perception among Christians, false though it may be, that becoming a Christian brings them innate morality that exceeds that of non-Christians.

It is for this reason a common frustration non-Christians have with Christians is that "they think they are better than everyone else." We absolutely do!

Now matter how many 'Not Perfect; Just Forgiven' bumperstickers you put on your car, we cannot overlook the fact we have come to be convinced we are innately more moral than those without Christ.

Granted, we are a new creation, but we are not a perfect creation. We are still a new creation living in the same humanity that is prone to temptation, sin, and failure. All the more reason to stand firm in our faith, yes! But all the more reason to remember the commonality of fallen humanity we still share with Christian and non-Christian alike.

All the more reason God's mercy and grace should become more of our presentation.



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LISTENING TO: "Only By The Night" by Kings of Leon

Inner Watchfulness

Ozzie Chambers speaks of an "inner watchfulness" I am not entirely sure I am in frequent possession of. This may be a reference to the mind of Christ you read about in 1 Corinthians 2. Jesus had a solid sense of intimate purpose because of the Spirit within. He lived from that intimate connection he had with his Father in heaven. Though He had every right to live of Himself, he continually pointed his life and heart and Spirit to its rightful place: submitted to His Father's direction, will, and Spirit. That meant a very intentional and continual inner watchfulness to always focus and point his spirit to and on God his Father. I need a much more intentional inner watchfulness. LISTENING TO: "Youth Novel" by Lykke Li