As we move into Holy Week, it’s useful to remember that Jesus died on the cross because none of us is good enough to save ourselves.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5.8, ESV)

I’m reminded of the memorial service for astronaut Jim Irwin. I’ve written about it before, but it’s worth retelling the main point. The service was preached by Nicky Cruz, former New York City gang member whose story was told in the book Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. Here’s what Nicky said as best I can remember – I was there:

The miracle is not that I was saved by grace. I was a Puerto Rican street kid. I’ve killed people in gang warfare. I understand grace. I needed grace. The miracle is that Jim Irwin, a good, white, Baptist kid from Pittsburgh, understood grace. – Nicky Cruz at the memorial service for astronaut Jim Irwin

Paul summed it up:

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3.5 – 7, NIV)