Grace and Glory

"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole." Isaiah 53:5 (Amplified Bible)

A child called to the principal's office. A past-curfew teenager before his parents. An offender in the presence of the judge. You and me before God.

In these instances grace is not the expected verdict. Because we stand before a God who is full of glory, a majestic king, the ultimate sovereign, we are schooled to expect, at the least, reproach or reprimand. At the most, penalty or punishment. Certainly there will be no glory, no recognition or tribute. But because of Christ on the cross, because "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities, we can experience the ultimate incongruity of both glory and grace.

Poet Charitie Lees Smith Bancroft says it best:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me to depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.