Job suffered in a way that I can’t imagine.

He lost everything in a matter of minutes. His livestock. His livelihood. His house. His family. Everything was gone. Then he lost his health as painful boils covered his body.

When Job’s friends looked at the method and timing of his misfortune, they determined that Job did something so evil that God had to immediately bring down violent judgment on him.

Job knew better. He knew that God was not punishing him for something, but at the same time, he couldn’t prove it. In that moment, Job said this: “[God] is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together” (Job 9:32,33).

In those words, Job expressed an expectant hope that yearned to be fulfilled.

He hoped for one who could bridge the gap between himself and God. He hoped for one who could prove that God was not punishing him. He hoped for one who could vouch for him while representing the interests of God.

The One Job hoped for has come. His name is Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ empty tomb is evidence that the punishment for your sin was paid in full on the cross. God already inflicted punishment for your sin once, and he will not do it again. Jesus now sits in heaven to guarantee the work he did for you. You have what Job hoped for.