My Vindication

“But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face. Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.
Job 6:28-29
+
My Vindication
Job once again turns to his friends in a plea for understanding.  He begs them to hear what he is saying and know that the cause of his suffering is not a result of his actions or impious living.  He wants them to understand that if they would just listen to him then he would find his vindication.  And in this, we are so often like Job.  We want to justify, or vindicate, ourselves before others.  We want everyone to know its not our fault, or the devil made me do it, or whatever other lame excuse we can come up with to hide the fact that we truly are poor, miserable, sinners.  And if we only ever look inward for our justification then we will forever be lost.  For our vindication does not come from within, but from outside of ourselves.  We have but to look to the cross in faith to see it.  There hanging by Roman nails is our Vindication.  This is what is presented before our Judge at our death.  This is all the evidence which need be presented, for a not guilty verdict to be given.  For in the image of the cross, hangs the punishment for our sin.  It is where God’s wrath is poured out upon Christ, wrath meant for us but taken by our Good Shepherd. We are justified through the merit of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross on our behalf. This was the only way we would ever be vindicated, and so it happened.  Your vindication would never, could never, come from you, but is freely given by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.