Testimonies

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I wish that I had learned with my heart early in life that Jesus tasted death for every man. It would have made unnecessary some of the unlearning and repenting I've had to do, and I would have avoided some of the circuitous paths I've taken and opportunities I've missed.

It is relatively easy to deal with this precept in a general, collective, mind-assenting way. Sure, Jesus died for everyone--we all know that. We're not uncomfortable with general beneficence. But when the heart learns this lesson, every person we meet becomes the one for whom Jesus died. The faceless crowd gets narrowed down to the unlovable creature in front of you: That guy that ran a red light and almost hit me? The woman who stole my husband? That slovenly, no-good, alcoholic? The person who undeservedly has a lot more money than I have? My unfair boss? My unfaithful wife? My drunken husband? My acid-tongued mother-in-law? Yes, all of those--and a whole world full of sinners like you and me.

God loved us one at a time while we were all those things and worse--and sent His Son in response to that love. Now we have to love each other one at a time--at close range--enough to acknowledge that Jesus died for every one of us. If we can read the bottom line, that Jesus died for this one, too, it helps get through the mishmash of external trappings and goes right to the heart of the relationship. No time is wasted in action that does not derive from this major premise. True, we'll never reach perfection in its practice, but at least our aim will be in the direction of the One who made the soul-saving sacrifice.

Out of hearts full of gratitude that Jesus died for us, we must relate to others one-on-one with a love that shares everything, gives the benefit of every doubt, and prays unceasingly that Jesus will be lifted up so that all men will be drawn to Him.

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