Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1–2, ESV)
Speak tenderly! What is the opposite? If a person cuts you off in the mall parking lot to take your space, you talk harshly towards that person. But that is not how God speaks to us. It would be fair. God has every right to speak harshly towards us. We have sinned. We have offended him. We have failed to honor him in the ways he deserves. Yet, he speaks tenderly to us. He speaks gently. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
A curious phrase in these verses is that we receive from the Lord’s hand, double for all our sins. What does that mean? It might mean that God is vindictive and gets back at us. He heaps on double punishment for our sin, which would not be fair. But that is not the nature of God’s unfairness.
To learn the answer, go back to verse one. Comfort, comfort! Double comfort is what God provides. He forgives our sins. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. What is fair is that we would die for our sins. But instead, Jesus died for our sins. Grace is not fair! We don’t deserve from God what he gives to us.
Grace is not fair in one way. The consequences of sin – apart from God – is unfair in another way. Not all things are equal. When it comes to the consequences of sin, 2+2 does not always equal 4. Sometimes a small sin produces great consequences. Sometimes a great sin leads to small consequences. Sometimes I suffer as a result of the sins of others. It’s not fair.
Neither sin nor grace lives in the realm of fairness. But we live with peace in an unfair world knowing God is more than fair. First, our sins are forgiven. And double, we are given a place in his eternal realm.
Reflection
- How does it make you feel that grace is unfair?
- How does Jesus’ eternal victory give you confidence to face your current struggles?
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the victory won by Jesus. Thank you for giving him as a sacrifice for my sins. How unfair it is that your Son died, and I will live. Thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you that you do not treat me as my sins deserve. Amen!
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