April. 7 - Undeserved Punishment
Contributed by
Regina Shands Stoltzfus, associate campus minister on Monday April 07
Scripture
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.
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Devotion
When I was in the fifth grade, I wrote a report that seemed to me the finest thing that I (or anyone else, for that matter) had ever written. Our class was studying biographies, and our assignment was to pick a person we admired, learn all we could about this person and then write a short biography. I worked hard on my report and handed it in, expecting high praise from my teacher. My teacher did think it was a good report; too good, in fact, for me to have written it. She thought someone else had done the work – my teacher accused me of cheating.
All these years later, I still remember the hurt and anger I felt. My teacher thought I lied and cheated! Fortunately, my mother, who knew how hard I had worked, came to my defense; the issue was resolved and I got a good grade. Still, the accusation stung. After all, I did not deserve it.
Jesus took the punishment he did not deserve. As Isaiah writes in today’s scripture, Jesus offered his back to those who beat him, his cheeks to those who pulled out his beard; he did not hide his face from mocking and spitting. Because he loved us, Jesus bore it all.
See from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
(When I survey the Wondrous Cross, Isaac Watts, 1707)
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