Mercy Satisfies Justice

Easter is the greatest example of how, in redeeming us from sin, God’s “Mercy triumphs over judgement” (James 2:13). The Greek word translated as “triumph” is indicating that mercy is exulted over judgement, not that mercy defeats judgement. God’s mercy caused Him to pay the penalty, to receive the judgement, for our sins.

We are all going to be judged because, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But there is good news in the second half of that verse, “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The gift of eternal life is “free” to us, but it came at the expense of Jesus suffering and dying on the cross.

Isaiah 53:5 makes clear that “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” “As a result of the anguish of His soul, God will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11).

Jesus always knew the cross was His destiny “for this purpose I came” (John 12:27). He likely had seen men crucified and so He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). However, He “for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus’ joy was His knowledge that, “through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men” (Romans 5:18).

Jesus’ death and resurrection demonstrated how God “exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on the earth” (Jeremiah 9:24). God’s justice was satisfied by the lovingkindness of Jesus’ death paying the penalty for our sins. Finally, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection God attributes to us “righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

God instructs us to demonstrate mercy to others just as we have received mercy. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does Yehovah require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). We do justice by sharing the Gospel with unbelievers so they can become justified and not receive the “wages” for their sins.

We love mercy by sharing the Gospel so others my benefit from the mercy that God is waiting to show them. Additionally, we are directed to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27).

We walk humbly with our God by pursuing sanctification. We die to ourselves (Matthew 16:25), we take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

At Easter we celebrate God’s mercy, as we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf.