Does God want to punish us? Does he just want to forgive us, letting us into heaven when we die, but letting us wallow in our misery while we remain here on earth?
For the answer, we have to look at what Jesus did. He didn’t just forgive the Woman at the Well, he restored her to a place of dignity. He didn’t just just forgive Peter for denying him 3 times, but restored him to his place as a leader and friend.
Our God is a God of new beginnings. He wants to make us new and give us healing. Not just when we get to heaven, but beginning here on earth.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’









