When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly. (I Peter 2:23 ESV)
The End
Jesus, even during His earthly life, forgave.
He had more reason to hold a grudge than anyone. He was unjustly reviled. He unfairly suffered. He was treated how His sinful people should have been treated, instead of with the respect and awe He deserved.
But He did not lash out. He did not seek retribution. He did not demand justice.
Because He knew what was coming.
God would bring justice.
Without diminishing the wrath of God that is coming on those who reject Him, the most surprising aspect of God’s justice is that it came on our innocent Savior. On our behalf!
The end result of God’s justice that COULD have come on our heads, came on Christ’s head.
The end result of God’s justice that WOULD have come on our heads, came on Christ’s head.
The end result of God’s justice that SHOULD have come on our heads, came on Christ’s head.
He forgave because He knew His Father was in the process of forgiving. He held no grudge because He knew His Father was in the process of forgiving. His righteous anger fell away because He knew His Father was in the process of forgiving.
The End gave meaning to the means!