January 24, 2024

Injustice is receiving punishment you don’t deserve.
Justice is receiving punishment you do deserve.
Mercy is not receiving punishment that you deserve.
Grace is receiving blessing instead of the punishment you deserve.
Grace is ridiculous. Truly absurd, when you think about it. I mean, we’re used to seeing injustice. We don’t like it, but we’re used to it. Justice makes us nod our heads. As long as it’s not US who’s receiving the justice! Mercy, because it’s an act of kindness, brings a sweet smile to our faces. But GRACE? Who responds to utter failure with not just forgiveness, but reward and blessing? God does. He’s the father in our story.
The son was just hoping not to be driven off. He would have been content to just be a hired hand with a chance to work and make a living. He would have been blessed just to hear the father say, “We forgive you.” But look what the father did. A new ring! A new pair of sandals! A new robe! And A PARTY!! The son wasn’t just forgiven. He was RESTORED! His past was gone, and he was given a brand-new opportunity. It was just like he was a newborn being celebrated and welcomed into the family. And that’s exactly what he was—Born Again.
If you want a picture of God’s Grace, there you have it. A God who is not just willing to forgive your past, but a God who celebrates your repentance with a new chance, a fresh start, and a welcome into His Family. We receive a new birth, the robe of Christ’s righteousness wrapped around us, and a party of the angels going on above us. When we come home to God, we don’t get what we deserve. We get what we don’t deserve. The ridiculous blessing of Grace. That’s God’s Word for you today.