East Orrington Congregational Church June / July 2025

Pen of Power

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The Rear-View Mirror of Easter

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

With Easter now behind us, the image of what Jesus did for us is not. For some reason, the voice of Jesus telling the  criminal hanging beside him echoes in my ear. “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” Who comes to mind when you envision heaven? Perhaps it's the faces of family members who have gone before us or friends whose memories are dear to us. You might even think of influential spiritual figures like Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or Fannie Lou Hamer. Like many, I, too picture such souls. However, heaven is vastly more inclusive than our finite imaginations can conceive—filled with countless individuals redeemed by God's profound mercy.

Imagine focusing on individual faces in that heavenly multitude. Would we be surprised by who we see? Perhaps even a bit uncomfortable? It's natural to think of heaven as a place for the "good" people, those we feel are deserving of such eternity. But God's mercy is not confined by our mortal judgments. It extends far wider than we can comprehend, embracing even those we least anticipate.

I once engaged in a deep conversation about whether someone who committed a horrific act—the 2006 Amish  schoolhouse shooting—could ever receive God’s forgiveness. A friend expressed, “I hope not. I cannot accept a God who would forgive such an act.” Part of me sympathized with that view. Yet, asserting that God’s mercy has limits is to restrain the infinite.

Consider the story of Saul of Tarsus. Before becoming the apostle Paul, he was complicit in violent acts against Christians—essentially, he was a man with blood on his hands. Yet, he was not only forgiven but transformed into one of Christianity’s most profound voices. God’s grace proved greater than Saul’s worst actions, as it has for countless flawed individuals throughout history.

Now, think about someone whose actions you might see as unforgivable. Can you picture them in heaven? This is a challenging thought, and you're certainly not alone if it feels uncomfortable. We often prefer a God who conforms to our ideas of justice, saving those we judge as deserving. However, God’s mercy isn’t about picking sides—it’s about offering redemption to all who seek Him. It surpasses our biases, our personal failures, and our darkest sins.

This is the true beauty of God's mercy—it isn't reserved just for those we perceive as deserving. It's available to everyone: the broken, the wayward, the "undeserving." And yes, it's available to both you and me. No sin is too great, no life too lost. God’s mercy is a gift freely given, awaiting all who will embrace it. Romans 5:8 encapsulates this beautifully: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This passage invites us to consider the breadth of God’s forgiveness, welcoming a diverse array of redeemed lives into heaven.

Looking back at Easter, what lessons carry you forward? Thank you, Lord Jesus.