Grace — Week 2 – Friday
TODAY’S VERSE
John 3:18a
Whoever believes in him is not condemned... (ESV)
As I walked into Nancy’s living room, her mother, Vicki, glanced up at me from her adjustable hospital bed. The medicine made her a bit grumpy, but I could tell she understood everything her daughter was saying. Nancy introduced who I was, then quietly tip-toed out of the way, shooting me a look that said, “Good luck.”
“So, Vicki…” I said after a few minutes of awkward small talk. “Nancy tells me you have some questions about Jesus...”
“Well…” she responded hesitantly. Eventually, her eyes filled with tears. “Never mind, it ain’t worth it.”
“No, go ahead… please.” I coaxed her along. The silence that followed felt like an eternity, but I didn’t mind. Her eternity was what mattered.
“I’ve done all kinda bad things…been a bad mom, a bad woman… God wouldn’t want nothin’ to do with someone like me anyway…”
Choosing my words carefully, I smiled. “You know, Vicki, I’ve done a lot of bad things, too.” She rolled her eyes. “What ’n the heck have you ever done?” she snapped. “You’re a preacher!”
“Well… lots of things,” I gathered myself. “I’ve lied to my parents…I’ve cussed like a sailor… stolen things that weren’t mine… I’ve done pretty much everything God told me not to do…” I shrugged, hoping to have made some sort of connection.
Vicki gave me a side-eye smirk. “You've been pretty bad, too, huh?” Nancy and I both laughed.
I could’ve sat there all afternoon and told Vicki just how bad I really am. But I didn’t have that much time—and she didn’t have that much time left. Instead, I spent the next hour explaining how good Jesus is.
Then a few days later, I came back to that house, ran a shallow bath full of water, gently lowered her eighty-seven-pound body into the tub and witnessed her speak these words: “I believe with ALL my heart… that Jesus is the Christ… Son of the living God… my Lord and my Savior…”
Good people don’t go to Heaven—but forgiven people do. Vicki went there a few weeks later, not because she had ever been good, but because she believed in Jesus.
So, welcome all who’ve been a bad mom. Welcome addicts, adulterers, and even abusers. Welcome sinners like me and stubborn old men and women like Vicki. His forgiveness awaits whoever believes in Him.
And as bad as you may’ve been, that whoever includes you.
APPLICATION
Interested in learning more about baptism? We’d love to hear from you.
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You that there is no condemnation for those who believe. Help us to share that good news with someone who doesn’t know You this week.
