There is always an effort underway to find a new sacrifice for sin…

Each of us observes that wrong is being done, as people continue to sin against God and one another. Quickly, the self-righteous find someone to heap total blame upon: “Ahhhhh, now we are at peace, someone has been made to carry all this.”

But why is anyone paying? Hasn’t Jesus paid for that sin — and hasn’t He also paid for our own bent toward blaming others? “But this Man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12).

As believers in Christ, we agree that “It is finished” (John 19:30) was the end of payment for sin. We don’t seek justice; we seek mercy for everyone, in every situation.

Like Jesus we pray, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34) and have to add “and forgive me for sinfully wanting someone to pay, as though Christ’s wounding was not enough to cover what wounds me.”

Praise God, all sin is atoned for and as His children we are called to mercy. “Judgment is without mercy to the one who shows no mercy” (James 2:13). This is not a verse to beat the unmerciful with — it is a warning to search my own heart and ask the question, Do I love mercy? (Micah 6:8 NKJV)