You Are Never Too Far Gone For God - Part 5

The life of Jesus as detailed in the Gospels of the New Testament reveals how God feels about sinners.  First and foremost, God sent his son Jesus to live a mortal life and die on a cross to save us from our sins.  Jesus took on the punishment for everything every one of us has ever done wrong and paid the price with his life.  He didn’t die just to save little old ladies who might have told a lie once in their life.  He died to save the worst among us.  No matter how evil and despicable your sin might be, Jesus has paid to save you from it.  All you have to do is acknowledge it.


A closer look at the life of Jesus reveals the compassion he had for those who fell short of God’s expectations.  Jesus spent much of his time with the undesirables of Jewish culture, so much so that the religious leaders of his day questioned his associations.  In one famous story he comes to the rescue of an adulteress just as she is about to be stoned to death.  It is where the famous “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” line comes from.  No one dared throw a stone because they all knew that they too had their own sins of which they were guilty.  Sadly it is a lesson many Christians forget when they cast their judgement on others.


In another episode, Jesus met a Samaritan woman by a well.  In that day, Jews would not think to speak with Samaritans.  They were remnants of the northern kingdom of Israel that had split away and fallen into wickedness under a succession of evil kings.  To put it into perspective, the infamous Jezebel was queen of Samaria.  As Jesus spoke to the woman he revealed to her that he knew she had had many husbands, a fact that would brand her a sinner worthy of death in the eyes of the Jewish religious class.  But rather than chastise her on the point, he instead revealed to her that he was the Son of God and that through him she and all others could have eternal life.  She left the encounter not feeling shamed for her past, but instead filled with joy over her future and was eager to share the news with everyone.


Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion, a man who served an empire centered on the worship of pagan gods and the deification of Caesar.  He did it because the man believed in the power of Jesus.


On the cross Jesus was hung between two criminals.  One was a thief who asked if Jesus would give him eternal life.  Jesus said yes, no questions asked and with no judgement regarding the crimes that had led the thief to that point.  On the other side was a criminal who mocked Jesus and refused to believe.  All three men died horrible deaths, but one went on to an eternity that was even worse, all because he wouldn’t accept Jesus.


Even as his death was nearing and the pain was reaching unbearable heights, Jesus was heard asking God to forgive his tormentors.  If Jesus could forgive the people who tortured him and crucified him do you really think that there is anything that you have done that is beyond his capacity to forgive?
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