For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. Romans 1:16-17a
Scientists have discovered that as we die, we may revisit moments in our past “flashing before our eyes.”[1]
Would you really want to rehash everything you’ve ever done? A woman in the Bible had that experience. She said, “I met a man who told me everything I ever did!” That man was Jesus, and the woman was so shocked by His conversation with her, she ran into town and told everyone: “He knows me inside and out!” (John 4:39-42 The Message)
This story has several surprising aspects to it: for one, men in that culture would never have engaged a woman in conversation, and this woman was from a people group who Jews considered social outcasts. Even Jesus’s disciples were shocked to find him talking to the woman (John 4:27).
What’s more shocking is that Jesus revealed Himself as God in the conversation, saying “I am the Messiah!” The woman’s response was to leave what she was doing and tell everyone in her village, Come and see! They came and “said to the woman, ‘We’re no longer taking this on your say so. We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!’“ (John 4:39-42 The Message)
Jesus showed, no matter who you are, you are seen, loved and can “know for sure” that you’re accepted by God. The gospel, says Scripture, “is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes … [telling] us how God makes us right in his sight” (Romans 1:16-17).
There’s no need to worry about an instant replay of your life if you’ve been forgiven by Jesus. That forgiveness is unconditional. Yes, Jesus knows everything you’ve ever done and welcomes you to Himself.
[1] Honderich, H. (2022, February 23). Life may actually flash before your eyes on Death – New Study. BBC News. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60495730
