A Trustworthy Saying
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” — 1 Timothy 1:15
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, and like a wave of cold water, my thoughts pour over me, keeping sleep away.
Memories flood. Things I have not thought about for ages. Failures pop up to remind me they are still lurking. Sins race toward me, leashed to the Accuser, telling me I am worthless.
The worst part is that it is all true. Nothing coming to light in the dark is made up.
In such moments, I deeply resonate with Paul’s self-identification as “chief of sinners.”
That is how I feel during those lonely nights. The weight of the sinner I am.
But that confession is only half true. As trustworthy as it is, there is one that precedes it. In fact, supersedes it.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Charles Spurgeon pointed out that between the words “save” and “sinners,” there is no adjective. It does not say “rehabilitated sinners.” Not “grieving sinners.” Not “alarmed sinners.” Only “sinners.” It’s a word big enough for us all, chiefs or not.
For such a sinner as I, Christ came. He did not ask me to come to heaven. He came into the world. That makes all the difference.
In my deepest despair, he is not asking me to find my way to him; he is coming to me.
In the darkness of night when the darkness of my heart feels too heavy to bear, there is Christ’s cross that says he’s born it all for me. There is no darkness that can dim his light.
My sins are many. His mercy is more.
Maybe I am the chief of sinners.
Maybe you are too.
But Jesus is savior of us all.
And he loves his job.