Think about the worst sin and/or sinner ever…. What sin(s) come to mind: murder, stealing, any and all abuses, etc. What great sinners come to mind: Putin, Hitler, etc. What is the most egregious sin/sinner ever? I believe it was the “sin” of the “world” that crucified/murdered Jesus! And what did Jesus say as He hung, dying on His Cross? “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
In John’s gospel, he introduced Jesus by saying, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the ‘sin’ of the ‘world’!” (John 1:29b) Then, as we heard on the Cross, Jesus forgave the most egregious “sin/sinners” ever (the world/all people). At His death, we believe, Jesus descended to the dead to proclaim and give that same forgiveness for all. And at His resurrection, Jesus gave us the proof of God’s universal, once-for-all, forgiveness and love, forever.
Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension was, and is, all about God’s amazing gift of grace: reconciling love and forgiveness for all. As we learn to die to ourselves, God resurrects us to know and believe-in God’s love for us. As God helps us to know that gospel truth, God equips and empowers us to live God’s universal gift of grace.
At St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nashville, TN, we are striving to live resurrection lives for the sake of the world God so loves. You are invited to join us. www.stjohnsnashville.org
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