«JESUS CAME TO SAVE SINNERS»
«This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief». 1 Timothy 1:15
IN MEDIEVAL TIMES, it was common for those who had been sentenced to penitence as a punishment to wear a sign around their neck. That sign was called a sambenito. I thought that practice had ceased to exist, but a few years ago it came into effect again when Judge Greg Pinski sentenced two men to hold placards with the following message: «l am a liar, I am not a veteran.»
It turns out that one man had violated his probation and the other had just been sentenced, and both attempted to have their sentence reduced by claiming they had served in the armed forces and were now veterans. According to the proposed terms of their sentence, before being able to obtain parole, they must agree to write the names of the 6,756 American soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. They must also stand in front of a monument for veterans every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day and let everyone passing by see their placards, which read, «l am a liar. I am not a veteran. I stole valor. I have dishonored all veterans.»*
We might think it’s a well-deserved punishment for being such liars, but what if you were the one who had to walk around with a sign shouting from the rooftops what your sin is? Satan wants us to bear a sign with our sins; he wants others to find out everything we are and do. Therefore, he accuses us before the Lord night and day, and asks that we be identified as guilty. In that sense, this inspired statement gives me great hope:
Satan will accuse you of being a great sinner, and you must admit this, but you can say: ‘l know I am a sinner, and that is the reason I need a Saviour. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. «The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin» ‘ (1 John 1:7).
Yes, I have a sambenito that reads «l am a sinner,» but today the good Lord edited and changed it to «l am a forgiven sinner.» As the apostle Paul said, «Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief» (1 Timothy 1:15). Today, I invite you to enjoy the wonderful privilege of knowing the Judge of the entire universe has forgiven you.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Avineyda Hernández
