hopeless cases?
"Come, see for yourself." —John 1:46
Bartholomew's (Nathanael's) first statement as recorded in the Bible is the bigoted comment: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46) Jesus took this bigot, transformed him into an apostle, and wrote his name on a foundation stone of the new Jerusalem (Rv 21:14).
"You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tm 1:15). Jesus takes extreme cases (1 Tm 1:16) to prove He can change even the hardest heart. He can change abortionists, death-row prisoners, terrorists, rapists, me, and you.
We shouldn't give up on anyone. Our stubbornness does not cancel out God's power; rather, His power overshadows all opposition. Jesus has changed the hearts of well over a billion people. His grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9), His blood has paid the price, and the hardest heart is about to repent. Do you believe this?
Prayer: Father, give me Your attitude toward the person I believe is the least likely to change.
Promise: "You will see much greater things than that." —Jn 1:50
Praise: Jesus told St. Bartholomew: "You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (Jn 1:51).
Reference: (Grow in hope by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 14, 2007
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