You know the feeling. You’re driving down the highway, minding your own business, obeying the speed limit like a good
citizen, and out of nowhere a fast moving object appears in the rear view mirror. Then, WHOOSH. You actually feel the rush
of wind created by the speeding maniac. He passes you before you know what’s happening, going so fast you barely see the
color of the vehicle.
But, driving on, something gets your attention. A light is flashing on top of one car and another one is parked a little farther
off the highway. It’s obvious what is taking place. As you pass by, you give a “thumbs up” sign to the back of the law
enforcement officer, and just hope the wild and foolish driver of the other car saw what you did because you are loving every
minute of it.
A recent news item makes a similar point. In De Moines, Iowa, as a lady walked her dog in the park, a supposed purse
snatcher rushed by her and grabbed the paper bag she had in her hand. Unbeknownst to the thief, the bag held doggie
droppings, of which the woman was going to dispose. Thinking he had made off with something valuable, the robber
arrogantly shouted “Thank you” as he raced off. To which she knowingly and enthusiastically, replied, “You’re welcome.”
Getting what is deserved is fine, especially when it is warranted. We enjoy it even more when someone else is on the
receiving end. Sometimes, in our self-righteousness, we say “it’s about time” and feel we, or someone we love, has finally
been vindicated. However, that inward gloating occasionally takes on a lofty superiority. It just feels so good.
One of the most widely read events of seeming injustice was recorded 2,000 years ago. A Man was born, lived and died,
without ever having done anything wrong. He performed miracles and changed lives. Then He died a cruel, horrible death –
on purpose – when He could have escaped instantaneously. Yet, He took the mistreatment, enduring it to the end of His
earthly life.
Jesus Christ, the Holy One, God in the flesh, didn’t deserve any of the mistreatment and suffering He went through
But, make no mistake. He wasn’t a victim of circumstances, or a poor, wounded martyr, or a casualty of His day. Jesus
chose the path His life took. He was always in control.
The Bible tells us that when Jesus rebuked monarchs who would insist they were in charge of His destiny, He gave this
piercing reply, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” In other words, His dying was
not their plan. It was His.
The question that remains is, why? Why would Jesus do it? To say it’s because He loved all mankind doesn’t even compute
because we can’t fathom the depth of devotion which would be required to do what He did. Much less the fact that His
supreme sacrifice was performed in “advance” and for some who would never accept it.
The answer is simple. Jesus took what He didn’t deserve, so we wouldn’t get what we rightfully deserve. Death.
Separation from all that is good. Hopelessness that is forever.
So, the next time we want to smugly say, “Well, she certainly had that coming," remember one thing. So did we.
citizen, and out of nowhere a fast moving object appears in the rear view mirror. Then, WHOOSH. You actually feel the rush
of wind created by the speeding maniac. He passes you before you know what’s happening, going so fast you barely see the
color of the vehicle.
But, driving on, something gets your attention. A light is flashing on top of one car and another one is parked a little farther
off the highway. It’s obvious what is taking place. As you pass by, you give a “thumbs up” sign to the back of the law
enforcement officer, and just hope the wild and foolish driver of the other car saw what you did because you are loving every
minute of it.
A recent news item makes a similar point. In De Moines, Iowa, as a lady walked her dog in the park, a supposed purse
snatcher rushed by her and grabbed the paper bag she had in her hand. Unbeknownst to the thief, the bag held doggie
droppings, of which the woman was going to dispose. Thinking he had made off with something valuable, the robber
arrogantly shouted “Thank you” as he raced off. To which she knowingly and enthusiastically, replied, “You’re welcome.”
Getting what is deserved is fine, especially when it is warranted. We enjoy it even more when someone else is on the
receiving end. Sometimes, in our self-righteousness, we say “it’s about time” and feel we, or someone we love, has finally
been vindicated. However, that inward gloating occasionally takes on a lofty superiority. It just feels so good.
One of the most widely read events of seeming injustice was recorded 2,000 years ago. A Man was born, lived and died,
without ever having done anything wrong. He performed miracles and changed lives. Then He died a cruel, horrible death –
on purpose – when He could have escaped instantaneously. Yet, He took the mistreatment, enduring it to the end of His
earthly life.
Jesus Christ, the Holy One, God in the flesh, didn’t deserve any of the mistreatment and suffering He went through
But, make no mistake. He wasn’t a victim of circumstances, or a poor, wounded martyr, or a casualty of His day. Jesus
chose the path His life took. He was always in control.
The Bible tells us that when Jesus rebuked monarchs who would insist they were in charge of His destiny, He gave this
piercing reply, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” In other words, His dying was
not their plan. It was His.
The question that remains is, why? Why would Jesus do it? To say it’s because He loved all mankind doesn’t even compute
because we can’t fathom the depth of devotion which would be required to do what He did. Much less the fact that His
supreme sacrifice was performed in “advance” and for some who would never accept it.
The answer is simple. Jesus took what He didn’t deserve, so we wouldn’t get what we rightfully deserve. Death.
Separation from all that is good. Hopelessness that is forever.
So, the next time we want to smugly say, “Well, she certainly had that coming," remember one thing. So did we.
| Getting What Wasn't Deserved by Cynthia Price |
Cynthia and her husband, Bill, have four grown children and five grandchildren. She has been active for
many years in her church and in Bible Study Fellowship.
A writer and speaker, Cynthia has a heart for women and their special needs. She is available to speak to
your women's group and can be contacted at cbankprice@cablelynx.com.
many years in her church and in Bible Study Fellowship.
A writer and speaker, Cynthia has a heart for women and their special needs. She is available to speak to
your women's group and can be contacted at cbankprice@cablelynx.com.
Copyright © 2010 Cynthia Price. All rights reserved.
Photo © Ioan Panaite | Dreamstime.com
