Howls of protest this week as Trump intervened over the red card awarded to Falorin Balogan the USA’s top goal scorer. Sent off in the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina everyone assumed that that was that. The rules are clear – get a red card and you miss the next game, and FIFA’s rules don’t allow teams to appeal. But then came the phone call from Trump and mysteriously the one match suspension was postponed for a year. Near universal condemnation has followed. It’s just not fair.

Similarly howls of protest surrounded some of Jesus’s last words from the cross. Either side of him two criminals were also crucified. Their guilt was not in question, and they were getting what they deserved. But then one made an appeal for clemency and just like that Jesus offered him a place in Paradise. It’s just not fair. The rules are clear – if you sin, you’ll get what you deserve.

But that’s the beauty of the gospel and the gift of grace made possible by Jesus. We’ve all been issued a red card but on the cross Jesus took them, paid the penalty and cancelled them. As Balogan and the thief on the cross both discovered, a friend in a high place can get you out of the most serious trouble; and the trouble we face for sin is rather more serious than a one match ban. We stand to miss out on eternity and the fulness of eternal life that Jesus promises. So, what are you waiting for? Why not make your appeal and get what you don’t deserve?

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