Growing up, one of the scariest faces I ever saw was my mother’s any time I asked her a question she had already answered a hundred times. “What did I just say?” would be her stern reply, and little forgetful me knew I was in trouble. I imagine most mothers can relate to Jesus in this passage. He’s exasperated. Every discussion he’s now having with the Israelites is something he’s already explained to them before, and they still just won’t get it. Understandably, his tone turns harsh. Jesus isn’t going to lead unbelievers by the hand much longer.
Quick tip: if you’re trying to win people over to faith, maybe don’t tell them they’re going to die in their sins! That quote probably makes us uncomfortable and pokes at our image of Jesus as friendly and gentle. But eventually gentleness just won’t cut it anymore. It’s good for us to grapple with the seriousness of sin and the severity of separation from God. Make no mistake: universalism has no place in the Bible. Judgment for the unrepentant is real and certain.
But there’s a better life available to all of us. Those that die in their sins first have to live in them, suffering from the natural consequences of living apart from the perfect plan of God. But in contrast, There are those who live in repentance, who put their full faith in Jesus the Messiah and Son of God, who live in accordance with God’s perfect, fulfilling will, and who both now and forever get to joyfully experience the overwhelming blessings of their God. That’s what Christ wants for us; doesn’t it sound like something we should want too?
For a long time, churches have sent ministers to inmates on death row to encourage them right before they die to renounce their sins. But let’s not also forget that the best day to repent is the soonest one possible. Jesus wants us to have life, and that life begins now. He who is from above came down to us to bring us up with him. But that life with God is not just for when we die; that life is ours now. The kingdom is at hand; repent and believe the gospel!
