the Punishment Must Fit the Crime

Deuteronomy 19:21 - Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

As I read through Deuteronomy, I'm daily discovering more of God's character displayed in His laws. In this verse God is not condoning revenge, but rather demonstrating His holy righteousness. He is perfectly just and even in His laws, we can see that the punishment must fit the crime. We have sinned against the sovereign, most high LORD of the universe and the heavy penalty must be paid for our transgressions. The penalty is "eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:9)... hell. No glimpse of God's glory, completely away from His presence. That means no love, no joy, no peace, and no justice. It is a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30 / Luke 13:28). Eternal sorrow, pain, and torment is the penalty for our sins. That's what we deserve.

But the LORD, according to the kind intention of His will, provided us a way. The LORD saw fit to crush His only Son (Isaiah 53:10). Bloodied, beaten, and crucified by men. Separated from the Father, Jesus endured the full weight of God's wrath for our sin. The punishment had to fit the crime.

What are you thankful for this Christmas season?