Firm Justice, Extreme Love.

I desperately wanted to name this "Rebecca Black's Good Friday" but thought that would be extremely stupid. And of course it is, and it makes no sense, other than the fact that it is Good Friday and that song has died off, though it has obviously left its mark in our world.

You know who else died today and left even a greater mark, and not only a mark, but a life changing revolution in hearts? Jesus. 

(Mind the awful segue.)

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:8)

God demonstrates His own love for us. He shows us not only His love, but what true love looks like: Jesus. From the day He was born to His death on the cross and return to the Father, we see God's justice, grace, love, mercy and glory. Jesus at the center of it all. 

We must know the justice and righteousness of God in order to know His love and grace. We must know that God hates your sin, and my sin, and we are full of it. But this is what makes grace so amazing, and God's love so unfathomable. God's justice gives us context for His love and grace.

Know the weight of your sin, know the justice of God, but know His love and grace for you through Jesus. 

In death and sacrifice, we see the glorious unfolding of God's great plans. 

"Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
    he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
    he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:10-11)