ODJ: scandalous grace
February 22, 2012
Then some of them began to spit at Him, and they blindfolded Him and beat Him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped Him as they took Him away (14:65).
READ: Mark 14:53-65, 15:1-20
Imagine you’re a member of an organised crime ring with connections to corrupt city authorities. You discover someone who knows your gang’s every deed. One night you decide to round him up. He has to be silenced. Your thugs bring him to you and you hatch a devious plot.
A news conference is held the next morning. The mayor steps to the podium and says, “We have intercepted a terrorist plot to blow up the town hall.” Your victim’s face is then shown on the television screen.
The innocent man is held in custody where bored cops berate him. They kick him, spit on him, put lipstick on his face and pour beer over his head. Some of your cronies enter his cell. They bind him with duct tape on his wrists and feet, and then use it to cover his nose and lips. His body is found by a guard that afternoon.
Now imagine you’re in your home a few days later when there’s a knock at the door. You fling the door open to see . . . him. Tape marks on his feet and wrists, but standing before you whole. He looks at you and says: “I forgive you.”
How do you feel?
Let’s look to the Easter story. Jesus was hunted and mocked by a corrupt Jewish mob (Mark 14:53-59) and falsely accused of a terrorist style plot (v.58). He was condemned to death by a corrupt Gentile ruler (15:15), abused by soldiers (vv.16-20), shamefully killed (vv.22-24), but raised to life (16:6).
Both Jews and Gentiles condemned Jesus—all of humanity was complicit. The Creator came to earth, and we killed Him. We were the guilty ones, He the innocent. Yet He offers us forgiveness (Luke 23:34).
That’s the scandalous grace of God. —Sheridan Voysey
How would you feel being in the mobster’s place and hearing words of forgiveness? How have you said “Thank you” to Jesus for forgiving you?
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If I were the mobster, I’d be more concerned with what he’s doing ALIVE and at my door than being forgiven at the time — my cronies would be severely punished for letting him, of all people — live. But after that I’d be confused, too. Why would he forgive me, of all people? What could possibly motivate him to do that? Surely he knows I’m the one wanting him dead. Now what do I do with him? Tried to kill him, but he won’t die! Tried to shut him up, but here he is!
My appreciation for Jesus’ forgiveness is in my trusting and not doubting that He of all people has forgiven me. Relying on Him to see me through and giving Him the best of what I do.
Christ the victim, I the mobster…The first reaction would definitely come from my frail and corrupt shell of flesh in the form of a heart attack, but it would not be surprising if i make it out of the heart attack for the obvious reason that Christ is right there. Then the stone cold and diamond hard heart will start to make crackling sounds and the rusted and steel knees will start bending and draw close to the ground. Then the dry and desert eyes will shower streams of tears, which will hit the ground on which my knees have rested. Then out of me will resound the words and the tune of the song ‘In Christ Alone’. At that point of time i will gladly embrace Christ and take pleasure in the fact that i’m forgiven through and through. i will begin to realise that He is Love; He is Grace and He Cares. Nothing i do or nothing that has been done to Him by many like me,for generations and generations to come, will ever change Him and His Merciful ways! “No guilt in Life, No Fear in Death” will start to make sense and i will leave HAPPY,CONTENTED and AT PEACE! God be Glorified!
Well said Obadiah!