Who does that?

Pastor David Scharf

"Who does that?" That question can be a wonderful compliment, like when you hear a story of someone donating their kidney to a total stranger. Or the question can be shocking disbelief in a negative way, like when someone shows unusual cruelty to another who didn't deserve it.

The Bible writers consistently look at God and ask, "Who does that?" Only it's never in the negative way. What do you do for people who are born enemies, whose lives give evidence of that inborn hatred, who walk away from you with their thoughts, words, and actions-who don't fully admit the sin in their lives?

God's answer? You die for them. You forgive them.

It is what lead Micah the prophet to burst out, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy" (Micah 7:18). Think of how unlike anyone of anything our God is. Every other "god" of every world religion teaches salvation by good works. In order to please their gods, they must do good works. Adherents are forced to ask, "What must I do?" In Christianity, we do good works because God is already pleased. Christians instead ask, "What has God done?" We are compelled to look at Jesus' cross in awe with the Bible writers and ask, "Who does that? Who is a God like you who pardons sins?"