Had you been chosen as an Old Testament prophet, you would have had the unpopular job of giving people bad news. Judgment, punishment, destruction—these were the sort of words you might have become known for using. Sure, you would have also used their redemptive counterparts, like restoration and salvation, but often only after all the judgment, punishment, and destruction talk. When Jesus came along, He spoke words of warning like the prophets before Him, but He also offered forgiveness in a way that they, not being God in the flesh, could not. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
While some people were drawn to Jesus, many were offended by His words and actions. Scribes accused Him of blasphemy for telling a paralytic man his sins were forgiven (Mark 2:5–7). Pharisees were appalled that He let a notoriously sinful woman touch Him (Luke 7:39). Why did Jesus say these things and spend time with these people?
Jesus knew the Father’s heart, a heart that aches for sinners limping through this world under the weight of rebellion and brokenness. It had been His plan from the beginning to provide a way for sins to be forgiven. That way is Jesus. No matter how dark or scandalous our personal sins may be, God extends mercy to us—and to the entire world—because of the price Jesus paid on the cross. He laid down His life to secure pardon for every repentant sinner.
Wow, what an incredible way for God to love us.
Such a great point Jenna! Thanks for sharing :)
I’m so thankful we have a Savior who loves us and forgives us of all our sins… And who is also the perfect example of how to forgive others. I’m finding that it’s especially hard to forgive myself at times because the standards I set for myself are so high. Thanks be to God for being an example of grace and forgiveness and for sending His Son to be a living example on Earth for us!
This was such an on time message. Thank you God for sending us forgiveness, through Jesus.
That image of the woman washing Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair is such a beautiful picture of love for him. The imagery helps me love him even more. I also love how he says that the person who is forgiven much loves much. If we follow his example it takes away all our judgment of other people’s sins. We can look at the “biggest sinner” and think, “That may be the person who loves Him most.” I ask for His heart of compassion for all the lost and broken. When we love them, we love Him.
That has always been a stunning scene to consider, so many implications. I love your attitude of seeing “the other” as one who just might love Jesus the most. Your words made me review my own attitudes, and the need for me to also see those who have not yet believed as ones who could become the greatest lovers of Jesus ever.
I am struggling with something and this continues to show me God is our redeemer
I’m so thankful that I am forgiven! May I live like that every day.
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more.
I love how in the story of the paralytic Jesus goes right to the heart of the issue. He forgives the man’s sin. I’m sure the man and his friends were expecting him to just be physically healed, but Jesus addresses his greatest need, the condition of his soul, first. One commentary that I read described it like this: “What good was it if the man had two whole legs and walked right into hell with them?”