Mercy that expands for all: How did Christ break the barriers of despair?
Often times, a feeling creeps into our hearts that God is far from us because of our shortcomings, or that His closeness is limited only to worshipers, ascetics, and righteous people who do not sin. But whoever contemplates the life of Jesus Christ finds an image that spreads hope in the darkest hearts, and reveals the depth of God’s mercy toward His weak servants.
Christ summarized his message with a phrase that shook the prevailing concepts of his time when he said:
“I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”(Luke 5:32).
These were not just words, but a way of life. In a society that sanctified religious manifestations and avoided “sinners” or those whom society saw as expelled from God’s mercy, Jesus, peace be upon him, broke these barriers. He would sit with them, listen to them, and make them feel their human dignity that had been robbed from them by the harsh rule of society.
Seeing deeper than just guilt
In an Eastern environment that values purity and strict adherence to laws, the approach of a venerable prophet or teacher to sinners may seem surprising. But the secret of the excellence of Christ’s dealings lies in the following:
- Man before sin:He saw the sinner as a suffering person in need of healing, not just a criminal deserving of punishment. He was looking at the broken heart and hidden need behind the apparent behavior.
- A relationship that builds and does not destroy:He did not call people to repent from an ivory pulpit, or pass judgment on them from afar. Rather, he would enter their homes and establish a relationship of love and honesty with them first, and through this psychological safety, the true desire to change and leave sin would sprout.
- Mercy does not mean justifying wrongdoing:It is important to understand that Christ never justified sin or belittled its importance, but rather was firm in calling for purity. But he opened the door of hope wide, stressing that falling is not the end of the road, and that God does not abandon His servant just because he stumbled.
A close heart invites you to return
This sophisticated treatment reveals to us a great aspect of God’s generosity and kindness. God is not a God who waits for sins to punish. Rather, He is “Friendly” and “Merciful” who rejoices in His servant’s repentance. He is close, not only to obedient and thankful people, but rather to broken hearts burdened by sins and searching for shelter.
Question for contemplation and contemplation:If Christ gave all this love to be close to people who were rejected by everyone because of their sins… is it possible that God is closer to you today than you think, and is only waiting for you to take an honest step back, even in your most weak and broken moments?