The New Option

Resurrection happens because of the willing sacrifice of an innocent one. That is the rare case where justice demands resurrection.

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" - 1 Peter 3:14-18 ESV

Wow. Here is a quality of living that is set apart. A Heavenly life that is a different life. Seeing the quality of this life we are put at a crossroads. Do we attain to it? We can't. Even if in the situation we remain innocent... in our hearts somewhere there is guilt. Only a perfect spotless lamb can be found to be an acceptable sacrifice. This is a life that can only be received and not one we can attain to.

"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." - Hebrews 12:2-3 ESV

He is the puzzle piece that completes the picture. Justice can not win without Him but with Him mercy always rejoices against justice.

"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." - Romans 2:14-16 ESV

Accusation and excuses were absent from the life of Christ. He lived under a different law and because He did we now have a strong tower to run to and we find a shelter from the storm of human contradiction. Knowledge of God's sovereignty and the hope of resurrection based on the life of the lamb provide a strong shelter and a spring of living water that comes from a pure clean spring in the belly of our emotions.

Today is a great day to be set free from thoughts that accuse. Injustice is real... it just does not need to have power over us. We can live under a higher law by receiving a higher life.

It is also a day where we can let go of excuses. Excusing ourselves and others. Sin hurts. It produces death. Denial stuffs the pain away but it only poisons our mind from within. The blood of the lamb cleanses us. Yes. Not our sacrifices... His one great sacrifice finished the work in the very situations that we face... have faced... and will face.

If we live passively the storm will buffet us and we will lose our innocence. Behold the lamb. In seeing Him we are given a new option... a place of shelter from the storm... one that involves resurrection life.

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