April 8, 2022

Most everything has a direct consequence. For instance, a strong late afternoon espresso results in a skittery night’s sleep. Felonious assault leads to jail time.  The Law of Consequence is good and helpful; otherwise, self-will would run unchecked and rampant. Consequences make sense.

Here’s the counter-intuitive thing though: grace upends the law of consequence. We sin, yet Christ paid the price. He suffered the consequences of our actions. The prophet Isaiah tells us, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Does this make sense? No. Is it the Gospel? Thankfully, yes.

“Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Good Friday – BCP)