No condemnation.

Yes, really on the cross, Jesus asks his Father to forgive those who had put him on the cross, as they did not know what they had done. And, the first martyr, Stephen is dragged out of the city and stoned by the leaders and asks the same, though they knew exactly what they had done. This is the context of our reading of scripture and our knowing Jesus; our ideas of justice and mercy are turned on their head, redeemed.

While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
Acts 7:59‭-‬60 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/act.7.59-60.NRSV

This is the message of redemption, not retribution. This is the perspective of Jesus and through the work of the Spirit, Stephen’s too.

You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/1pe.1.23.NRSV

This gives us confidence to have the same perspective.

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:2‭-‬5 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/1pe.2.2-5.NRSV

In Christ, we are gathered priests of redemption. Our purpose is to redeem, and in Jesus live a way of truth that is found in knowing Jesus: live redeemed and redeem. We are freed from condemnation and together, serve one another. The love we show, draws people to God.

Jesus enables us. When Thomas and Philip question Jesus about how they are to know this way and see God, he answers,

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
John 14:10‭-‬14 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/jhn.14.10-14.NRSV

In this way, we too can have confidence that in simple kindness and faithfulness to the command to love, all is fulfilled.

Yes, really, there is no condemnation.

Justice and Mercy?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_Of_%27Justice%27_Old_Bailey.jpg

This entry was posted in meeting and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

What do you think?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.