Jehovah Tsidkenu- The Lord Our Righteousness

Jeremiah 23:5-6

St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
March 22, 2026
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes

How good do you have to be to be in right standing with God? Last week, Ms. Blanca and I visited Barnes & Noble to purchase a Bible for a family member graduating from high school. There is no better gift to give someone than the word of God. Today is Ms. Blanca’s and my first wedding anniversary, and I’m preaching from a Bible that a couple gave us as a wedding gift.

As we stood at Barnes and Noble looking at Bibles, we met a woman who was also looking at Bibles, and I asked, “Do you know where the English Standard Version of the Bible is?” She said, “Here it is,” as she pointed to a set of Bibles. I was curious, “Are you also looking for a Bible?” Her response: “I am an agnostic, but with all that is happening, we've got to get back to Jesus and do good.”

There are moments in life when we become deeply aware of our shortcomings—times when we recognize that no matter how hard we try, we fall short of the standard of true righteousness. Into that tension, Scripture introduces a powerful name of God: Jehovah Tsidkenu — “The Lord Our Righteousness.”

This name is not just a title; it is a promise, a declaration, and an invitation.

1. The Promise of a Righteous King

In Jeremiah 23:5–6, God speaks through the prophet:

“I will raise unto David a righteous Branch… and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

At the time, Israel was led by corrupt leaders. Justice was distorted. Faithfulness was rare. Yet God promised a coming King—a righteous Branch from David’s line—who would reign with justice and wisdom.

This points us directly to Jesus Christ.

Where human leaders failed, Christ would succeed. Where humanity fell into sin, Christ would stand in perfect righteousness.

2. Our Problem: We Lack Righteousness

Righteousness means being right with God—morally pure, just, and blameless. But Scripture is clear:

“There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

We don’t just make mistakes—we are unable to produce the kind of righteousness God requires on our own. Good works, religious effort, or moral discipline cannot bridge that gap.

If God were only holy and just, that would be the end of the story.

But He is also Jehovah Tsidkenu.

3. God’s Solution: Righteousness Given, Not Earned

The beauty of “The Lord Our Righteousness” is this:

God does not demand righteousness from us without providing it for us.

Through Jesus:

He lived the perfect life we could not live.
He died the death we deserved.
He offers His righteousness as a gift.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says:

“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

This is the great exchange:

Our sin → placed on Christ
Christ’s righteousness → given to us

Jehovah Tsidkenu means He becomes what we could never be, so we can stand before God accepted.

Imagine a man standing in a courtroom. He’s guilty—no excuses, no loopholes. The evidence is overwhelming. The judge looks at him and says, “The fine is $1 million.”

The man trembles. He knows he can’t pay it. Not now, not ever.

Just as the gavel is about to fall, someone in the back of the courtroom stands up. He walks forward, pulls out a checkbook, and says, “Your Honor, I will pay the full amount for him.”

The judge accepts the payment. Then he looks at the guilty man and says, “Your debt has been paid. You are free to go.”

Now here’s the key question: What makes that man “right” with the law?

It’s not that he was innocent.
It’s not that he improved himself.
It’s not that he promised to do better.

He is right with the law because someone else paid his debt in full.

That’s what it means to be right with God.

We often think being right with God means:

Being good enough
Fixing our mistakes
Trying harder

But Scripture teaches something deeper:

We are made right with God not by what we do, but by what has been done for us.

Our sin created a debt we could never pay. But through Christ, the payment has already been made.

4. A New Identity

When we receive Christ, righteousness is no longer something we chase—it becomes who we are in Him.

You are no longer defined by your past.
You are no longer condemned by your failures.
You are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

This changes how we live:

We pursue holiness not to earn God’s love, but because we already have it.
We walk in confidence, not shame.
We extend grace to others because we have received grace.

5. Living Under Jehovah Tsidkenu

What does it mean to live daily under “The Lord Our Righteousness”?

a. Trust Him, not yourself. Stop striving to prove your worth to God. Rest in what Christ has done.

b. Walk in obedience. Righteousness is a gift, but it produces a transformed life.

c. Reflect His character. As recipients of His righteousness, we become witnesses of it—living with integrity, justice, and mercy.

Conclusion

Jehovah Tsidkenu is more than a name—it is the answer to humanity’s greatest need.

When you feel unworthy, remember:

He is your righteousness.

When you feel condemned, remember:

He has already justified you.

When you feel lost, remember:

The Righteous King has come—and He calls you His own.

Closing Prayer:

“Lord, we thank You that You are Jehovah Tsidkenu—the Lord our righteousness. Where we fall short, You are enough. Teach us to rest in Your grace, walk in Your truth, and reflect Your righteousness in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”