I recently heard a story about an ancient King. He was known for being perfectly just and perfectly loving. 

It was discovered that someone was stealing gold from the royal treasury. The King said that the punishment would be ten lashes. The next week, more gold was taken. And more the week after that. Each time the punishment increased. Finally, it reached forty lashes, which meant the death penalty. 

Then there was further shock when it was discovered that the thief was none other than the King’s own daughter! What would he do? Since he was just, punishment needed to happen. 

On the appointed day his daughter went up on the platform. The punisher ripped open the back of her dress, exposing her back. She laid over a table, ready to receive her lashes. The punisher raised his hand. That’s when the King yelled: ‘Stop!’

He went up onto the platform, ripped open his own shirt, and draped himself over his daughter, exposing his own back. People were in shock. The King was putting himself between the whips and his daughter. 

He told the punisher to begin. “How can I, you’re the King?!” The King replied, “Since I am the King; do what I say.” So, the punisher began. One… Two… Three… 

At the end of the forty lashes, the King was dead. With tears running down her face, the daughter was safe. She could go free. The King had taken her punishment.

Every illustration is partial, of course. Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. But the story teaches us an important truth about the reason Jesus came. As it says in the prophecy from Isaiah 53:5: “he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

When we trust in Jesus and repent of sin, he gets what we deserve, and we get what he earned. When we avoid God and are selfish, Jesus pays for it. When we show apathy or neglect to those in need, Jesus pays for it. When we break the commandments, Jesus pays for it. When we abuse God’s purpose for our lives, Jesus pays for it. 

I sometimes see a sign: “Born to die that we might live.” At this time of year, we can get carried away by the tinsel, consumerism and hectic schedules. So, let’s ensure that we don’t neglect an essential ingredient to a faith-based Christmas: gratitude.

Notes:

-“Born To Die that We Might Live: The Prophecy of the Coming King in Isaiah 53.” Click here. Sermon.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.