(Read the previous devotion here.)
Romans 3:21–31
Paul’s letter to the Romans contains the core doctrines of the Christian faith in ways that are easily grasped and memorized by kindergarteners, and yet continue to befuddle theologians across the centuries and traditions.
In Chapter 3, we come to the turning point of Paul’s argument, a classic “but God” construction. After describing the fallenness of humanity and the coming judgment, Paul writes in verse 21: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested.” In verse 26, he writes, “It [the death of Jesus] was to show his righteousness at the present time.” In contrast to the brokenness of our world and ourselves, of which this solemn season of Lent is a reminder, God demonstrates his righteousness, both his holiness and perfect justice, in the death of Jesus Christ.
How so? Our sinfulness–both in ways we have done wrong and failed to do right–is an offense of the highest order to a holy God. Justice demands that our offense be repaid. And yet, we have nothing to offer to pay our debt. Enter Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Again, simple enough for the kindergartener and complicated enough to keep many theologians gainfully employed. But what for those of us in between? Simply this: in the Cross of Christ, the love and justice of God meet, and through the sacrificial death of Jesus, we find our redemption, the answer to our judgment as sinners, and the promise of joining in Christ’s righteousness.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are the Righteous One, and we are the sinners. We praise you that through your work on the Cross, we too can be made righteous like you. We thank you for our redemption found only in you.
Eric Joseph Rubio
