The written instructions for staining a fibreglass door were detailed and daunting. They mentioned cloths, rags and foam, synthetic and natural bristle brushes. They spelt out what to stain first, how long to let it dry, and when to rub against and with the grain. I was paralysed by doubt. Why did I think I could do this? Then I watched an instructional video, and my fears subsided. The man in the video carried out the instructions perfectly. He embodied the rules. If I followed his example, my door would come out fine.

Judah asks, ″Where is the God of justice?″ (Malachi 2:17). God doesn't answer with a checklist or itemised instructions. He answers with a person. ″I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come″ (3:1).

Who is this messenger? It refers to three increasingly important individuals. The first messenger is the prophet Malachi who wrote this book (the phrase ″my messenger″ is spelt malaki in Hebrew). The second messenger is John the Baptist, whom God would later send to clear the way for Israel's Messiah. Jesus told the crowds that Malachi 3:1 refers to John, who is the greatest of all the prophets (see Matthew 11:7-14).

The ultimate messenger is Jesus. He is ″the Lord you are seeking″, ″the God of justice″, and ″the messenger of the covenant″. Jesus perfectly embodies justice and love, truth and grace (John 1:14). He doesn't hold His righteousness over our heads as a reason to condemn us. Rather He uses His justice to fulfil the demands of Israel's Mosaic covenant and to graciously establish His new covenant.

Jesus himself is the new covenant. He is ″a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles″ (Isaiah 42:6). Jesus keeps both ends of this covenant, performing God's promises and ours. God promised to save and we promised to obey, so Jesus did both when He offered His perfect life on our behalf. We remember our reliance on Him when we partake in the Lord's Supper. Jesus said, ″This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you″ (Luke 22:20).

Have you noticed that people like to give advice when you're in a rut? Do this! Do that! Sometimes their suggestions contradict, and we don't know what to do. Maybe we should put away the detailed instructions, and simply look to Jesus. Receive His forgiveness, then follow His example. Your life won't be perfect, but it will turn out fine.