SALVATION

Jesus always said his mission was to save sinners. In his ministry on earth, he never condemned a sinner; even the woman brought to him in adultery, even though the traditional punishment would have been stoning to death. Jesus spared her. When he came before the High Priest and Pilate, he had enough power to defend himself, and his accusers were certainly in the wrong and probably aware that they were wrong, which would make them sinners. Jesus spared them also. When he was mistreated by the crowd, scourged at the pillar, given a cross to carry, he did not punish the wrongdoers, but prayed for them, interceding with the Father on their behalf. “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus accepted the cross and crucifixion to make remedy for the damage caused by sin, as he puts it: “See, I make all things new.” His mission, a mission that still continues through the Church, is to redeem sinners, to join his divine ability to the human ability we have so that, combined, a suitable and efficacious reparation for sin is offered to the Father. It’s not so much a question of enduring punishment for sin as much as it is making remedy for sin, of reversing the effects of sin, so that sin can no longer operate.

There are some who will never abandon their rebellious ways. Jesus encouraged them to repent as he makes reparation for the sins they have committed. This mission lasted throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus. Jesus didn’t let it cease with his death; he commissioned his Church to carry on this mission in his name and through its union with his body. There will be no further toleration of sin after this mission ceases, but during the Church age, many will have found salvation through the mission of Jesus Christ.

Maurice A. Williams