The Grace of God Sample

Stories of Grace 

Grace is at the heart of God’s story. Let’s look at three of the many stories of grace we find in the Bible.

The Woman at the Well
In John 4, Jesus had an encounter with a Samaritan woman who came to a well. When He asked her for a drink, she was surprised—He was a Jew, and Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans. He told her about the Living Water that He could give her so she’d never thirst again. But, He told her to get her husband first, and she replied that she didn’t have one. Jesus actually knew that she’d had five husbands, not including the man she was living with. This woman wasn’t a moral pillar in society. Yet, Jesus met her where she was and offered her something that would change her life. 

Peter Denies Jesus
Something occurred in Peter’s life that most of us wouldn’t have predicted. However, Jesus knew that Peter—the first disciple to be called—would betray Him one day. Right after Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to stay hidden, but he was recognized instead. It was after the third denial when Peter heard a rooster crow, and left the scene weeping. We don’t know what transpired between his denial of Jesus and him running to the tomb after hearing that Jesus was alive, but something did. Later in John 21, we’ll see Jesus reinstating Peter by asking him three times to declare his love for Him. 

Thief on the Cross
Luke 23 contains a short conversation between Jesus and the two thieves when they were all on their own crosses. One thief was bitter, demanding, and doubtful of who Jesus was. The other knew he deserved death, but that Jesus didn’t deserve to die. He then asked Jesus to remember him. And Jesus’ response must have ushered in astounding peace to that thief on the cross when He assured Him that they’d be together after they breathed their last breaths. 

When we consider these three accounts in the Bible, it may be easier for us to understand giving grace to the woman at the well and also to Peter. After all, it seems extreme to kill someone for committing adultery, doesn’t it? And Peter, although he denied knowing Jesus, did so many other good things for Jesus. But the thief on the cross? Well, this might be the best example of what grace looks like. When Jesus tells him right there on the spot—at the very last minute—that he’d be with Jesus in paradise that very day, it’s hard for us to comprehend this profound act of grace.  

This is the essence of God’s grace in our lives. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We don’t have to get it all right first. He just wants us to come to Him, as we are.