The cost of needing a savior

Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12

In our readings so far it’s been all good. We have a child savior who is coming to lead us. He will bring us peace and his government will be wonderful. He will forgive our sins and bring us closer to God. The lion will lie down with the lamb and life will be so different.

But today we discover that there is a cost to this great story. Since mankind first turned it’s back on God (see Genesis 3), God has had a problem. God loves humans. He created us not just as a “science project” but he created us “for” fellowship with Himself (see Colossians 1:16). When God created mankind He said it was Very Good. God is love and He so loved the world he created. But mankind rejected God. We said “This is good but we’ve got a better idea.” And we went our own way (see Isaiah 53:6 from our passage today). God not only is Love but God is Holy and Just. Love may want to turn a blind eye on disobedience but Holiness and Justice demand that a price must be paid.

Anyone who has been a victim or has had a close friend be a victim of a crime knows the intense frustration when Justice doesn’t happen. So often as humans we say “That isn’t fair” when a person gets away with crime. Fact is that happens in human justice. But God IS just. God IS holy. It cannot happen within him to let injustice happen. So a price must be paid for our turning away.

Not only must a price be paid but the solution must be just. So not just any person can pay the price. The solution must be perfect. God really has quite a conundrum. His love compels him to seek after mankind. His Justice and Holiness demands a perfect solution.

The answer is God himself must enter into history and must pay the price. He must suffer and pay the price that justice demands for disobedience. “By His wounds we are healed” (Look at Isaiah 53:4-5). Now reread Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and notice all God had to go through for us. All that this baby savior has to look forward to so that he can save us.

But don’t forget to notice Isaiah 53:11. This is the fruit. After He has suffered He will see life and be satisfied. The needs of Justice will be met and He will see life! Jesus will bear our iniquities. He will pay the price and in the end it will be good.

So as we celebrate Christmas and as we sing of this beautiful baby, let’s not forget the price the baby will have to pay. Let’s not forget the reason the baby had to pay this price. Let us celebrate but let us also stand in awe of the suffering servant who has come to pay the price.

Thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you baby Jesus.