One of the common sights on cable news lately, are various lawyers speculating whether the Boston Marathon Bomber will be subject to “a life sentence in prison, the death sentence, multiple life sentences, or a combination of both.” (Sadly, I’m quoting here…) Even if you get past the absurdity of someone serving “multiple life sentences”, or try to twist your mind into an understanding of how someone can serve both a life sentence AND the death sentence at the same time, it becomes apparent that it is possible to be convicted of more crimes than you can possibly be punished for. It is possible to owe a debt to others that is impossible to repay. Even though our law requires punishment (and I’m personally all for that) there is no possibility that any sentence given will “repay” those who lost loved ones and limbs in the bombings.
Justice is at best imperfect here on earth. It’s limited. Certain words can’t be “taken back”. Some crimes can’t be “undone”. Some actions can’t be “reversed”. Consequences are real, and others most often pay the price.
In the end, we are ALL debtors, unable to possibly repay for the damage we have caused to ourself and others. We need a Savior…and we need a system that takes us beyond the limits of human “Justice”.
The path is simple…yet incredibly difficult.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. -Jesus (Matthew 6:9-14)