I have some questions — actually, many.

How radical is the Christian faith?

Do we even dare think — and ask?

Does it really say

That Jesus died for all sins? ALL?

And all sinners? ALL?

Did he die for the most Godless folks — 

And their sins?

For the most Christian folks — and theirs?

And., by his death, did he accomplish

an actual forgiveness? Real?

Or just “potential”? Theoretical?

When Jesus prayed on the cross,

“Father, forgive them.

They don’t know what they are doing.”

Did the Father answer that prayer?

If so, with a “Yes”? A “No”?

Or, with a “that depends”?

What is the message of the Christian faith?

What do we claim?

What do we claim to proclaim?

If we check the Book of Acts, what will we find?

The early messengers did not go around saying,

“God loves you?”

They said, “You have been died for!

And that death took care of your sins!”

And the people were shocked!

What a strange message!

And they asked, “What does that mean?”

And Peter and Paul and company

told them about the death of Jesus!

Of course, it’s a story about God’s love!

A heart-breaking, gut-turning love!

Not an indulgent and insipid love.

A love tied to a death.

The death of God at human hands.

An undying love — that died!

In other words,

God is not some heavenly being

Who is passive and indifferent about evil!

For heaven’s sake! His Son died over sin!

“Condemned sin in the flesh,”

As Paul wrote in Romans 8!

Sin needed destruction! As cancer!

Thus, the cross became the ultimate

“Radiation!” “Chemo!” “Surgery!”

And that message triggered:

— burning guilt,

— flowing tears,

— and revolutionized lives.

What does this all mean?

For one thing, it means

that the followers of Jesus are a

fellowship of sinners. Of all kinds.

Big Leaguers! And Pony Leaguers!

In the time of Jesus, people thought

the “Big League” sinners were the

tax collectors and prostitutes.

They were shocked that Jesus welcomed

them into his fellowship.

Who are labeled as the “worst” sinners

of our time?

Addicts? Homosexuals? Pharisees?

If we Christians follow Jesus, shouldn’t

we be welcoming them too?

But, we say, “They must stop their sinning!”

Of course, that’s accurate.

But, have we stopped ours?

Or do we practice a double standard?

Cut ourselves some slack that we don’t allow others?

Don’t we all need “perpetual” forgiveness?

And isn’t that what we have in Christ?

Isn’t that how big and deep and strong forgiveness is?

That it actually changes lives?

Anyway, according to the words of Jesus,

(in the Sermon on the Mount),

I need continuing forgiveness

for my sins of murder and adultery and

judging others and materialism and fear

and worry and you-name-it!

Are not addicts and homosexuals and hypocrites

our brothers and sisters?

How can we not offer them what we need ourselves?

Are we the mangers and dispensers of forgiveness?

What if the cleansing and freeing power of Jesus

could flow freely in all of us Christians?

What if our congregations were “healing hospitals”

for the slightest of sins — and the grossest?

I like the bumper sticker:

Jesus said,

“I will make you fishers of men.

You catch ‘em. I’ll clean ‘em!”

Following Jesus is never easy — 

And not always clear.

Which means we need to:

Pray. And think.