Not blind justice

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

    and with his wounds we are healed.

Justice is blind.

A blindfolded justice -- that's what the statues show.

Truly, justice may be blind, but that doesn't mean it has no sense of humor or can't be creative.

I can't help but smile at the ruling that was passed down upon a Russian architect a number of years ago. The architect had designed a 12-story apartment building.

The building was, for the most part, a beautiful and functional edifice.

Nevertheless, the architect was charged with negligence and brought into court. The charge against him was simple: he had forgotten to put in an elevator -- or he actively decided not to put one in.

After he was found guilty, the court picked a punishment which seemed to fit his crime: the architect was ordered to live in an apartment on the twelfth floor.

All of us ought to be incredibly thankful that God doesn't give us punishments to fit our crimes. Every day you and I commit so many sins, commit so many wrongs, it would be impossible for us to bear the verdict.

To save us from the damnation we deserved, God has given us an opportunity to be forgiven and free.

No, He doesn't just say, "everybody is okay." He's far too just to do that. No, rather than saying, "sins don't count" or giving us the punishment we deserve, God sends His Son to be our Substitute. In the Person of Jesus, the Lord has granted forgiveness to all who acknowledge the Christ as their Savior.

Without sin, Jesus took our punishment; without guilt, Jesus died our death. And now, those who are given faith in the Christ are free from punishment.

Dear Lord, thank You for taking our punishment for the sins that we have sinned.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.