Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year 2016 | Page 8

Tuesday—November 29th

The Lord Comes with Righteousness to Save
Isaiah 11:5
Judges and juries can only judge based on what they see and hear. It’s all they have. They
listen to the facts and look at the evidence presented in order to render a correct verdict. As
part of the facts and evidence they may see pictures of people, videos of the events, and may
even visit the crime scene. All the evidence is taken into account. The judge and jury also
consider the believability of the witnesses and testimonies. After all the evidence and facts
are presented, they announce a verdict. By that point the defendant has no say in the matter.
The defendant is either declared guilty or not guilty.
When we hear that the Lord comes with righteousness, we might get worried. The Lord Jesus
far exceeds any judge or jury in knowing exact facts. He knows every single sin we’ve ever
committed. He doesn’t need to hear from witnesses. There’s no need for Jesus to see pictures
of the scenes of our sins. We committed them and he knows it. His righteousness allows him
to know with perfect clarity that we aren’t holy as he demands us to be. Our unrighteousness,
imperfection, and sinfulness are completely opposite of his righteousness. The verdict is
absolute. We’re guilty.

However, it’s great news to hear that the Lord comes with righteousness to save. The single
shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse doesn’t judge by what he sees or hears. Instead, he
takes his righteousness, which is his alone, and credits it and he credits his righteous decisions
to the account of poor sinners on earth. Jesus is on the side of those sufferin g from sins. Your
sinful weakness is addressed by his justice. Absolute justice is carried out by the one on whom
Spirit of the Lord rests. The one who is righteous comes to save sinners in need of
righteousness. Jesus comforts you with forgiveness. Jesus comes to give his righteousness so
that you are declared righteous. And in this, the Lord saves you.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus thank you for coming with righteousness to save me. You were perfect and
deserved the verdict of not guilty. But you came to take my place. By your life you assume my
guilty verdict so I might be declared righteous and not guilty. Amen.
ACTIVITY:
Think through the courtroom characters. If the courtroom were God’s courtroom, who would
be each of the positions? Why is that comforting?

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