Divine 'Accident'

Intersections. Who really stops to think about them? As drivers we pull up to them, drive through them, wait in them, and perhaps for an unfortunate few, the experience of an accident or two. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines an intersection as, among other things, "a place or area where two or more things ... [meet]." Naturally, good and bad things can happen at, and in, these common meeting areas!

While doing a recent study on the Atonement, it occurred to me that the greatest "accident" to ever take place at an "intersection" happened over two thousand years ago at a place Christians call Calvary. When mankind transgressed the laws of God, His holiness and justice demanded the ultimate punishment for such transgressions. In Ezekiel 18:4 God reiterated, "Behold, all souls are mine ... the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (KJV). In the New Testament Paul declared, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, and the only one qualified to lay down His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), not only demonstrated the Father's love for mankind (Romans 5:8), but in paying the price for our sins, appeased or satisfied the wrath of God against said sins (Romans 1:18; 3:25).

As Jesus hung on the cross, two great attributes of God were on display; His love intersecting with His justice. Having declared us guilty, which automatically evoked the death sentence, God the Righteous Judge stepped down from throne, "wrapped" Himself in love and came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He took our sentence upon Himself, and when the work was done, triumphantly declared "It is finished" (John 19:30). In that moment our redemption was complete; by His stripes [bruises, wounds], we were made whole (Isaiah 53:5).

As we ponder this "intersection" and reflect on the Cross standing there, may we never forget what was on display. Love and justice met, and by God's grace we came away victors. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). To Him be all honor, glory, and praise.