The Just

But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.

Acts 3:14*

Some time after Peter healed the lame man in the temple, he preached a powerful sermon to those who gathered there to marvel.  All, or certainly most, of the crowd would have been present to see the crucifixion just a few months before and would have heard rumors of the resurrection. The former fisherman turned evangelist pointed out that Jesus was really the Holy One and the Just who they traded off for a murderer. More than a few in that group would have been part of the mob that cried out: "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!" (John 19:15).

The title “Holy One” labeled the One whose blood was on their hands as the Messiah and the Just meant He was innocent; He was not guilty of any crime. The Holy Spirit must have used those titles to convict them of sin and judgment which brought many to faith in Christ and brought about a great conversion.

One tremendous truth in this title of Christ is that it is one that can also be given to believers.  Romans 1:17 declares “the just shall live by faith.” Those who were guilty of condemning the guiltless to death could be forgiven and then made just (i.e. justified) before God.  Only Christ, the Just one, could do this.

Romans 3:25-26 declares: “…in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be The Just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

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*See also Acts 7:52; 22:14; Romans 3:26