Grace for Sandusky???

I have watched the revelations surrounding Penn's State's football program with horror and sadness.  This week, Jerry Sandusky, a former coach at Penn State and founder of Second Mile, a charity for underprivileged boys, was charged with 40 counts of criminal sexual assault. Over the last few days, Penn State's President (Graham Spanier), Athletic Director (Tim Curley), Sr. VP of Business (Gary Schultz), and legendary football coach Joe Paterno have either resigned or been terminated. I believe that this is just the beginning, and could lead to the resignation of the governor of Pennsylvania.



I have read the grand jury report. It is sickening. The timeline of the crimes (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/penn-state-scandal-timeline-jerry-sandusky_n_1084204.html?ref=mostpopular) and the knowledge of so many without action is hard to understand.

Jerry Sandusky has become the most hated man in America. Crimes against children create a rage and anger that burns from deep within our hearts. Last night on talk radio, I heard a journalist say:

"What Jerry Sandusky did gets someone thrown straight into hell."

That's when it struck me. Amidst all the hatred, disgust, and anger, we want to distance ourselves and convince ourselves that we are not like Jerry Sandusky. He is an animal. An entire football program and university is reeling from this man. Second Mile, the charity he founded, is trying to create space between who they are and this monster.

People want blood. I have heard it suggested that hopefully in prison he will experience his crimes. Others suggest that Sandusky, like Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Andrew Markinson in A Few Good Men, end this with a gun in his mouth. 

It is easy to be enraged with someone else's sin. The Sandusky's, Madoff's, and Hitler's are deservingly infamous for their actions.

The problem: God puts us in line with them. The bitter truth is we are no different, capable of unthinkable atrocities against our Creator.

If we were to find out next week that Jerry Sandusky had repented of his sin, hid in the shadow of the Cross and begged for God's forgiveness, would we rejoice?

If we were called to do the unthinkable and advise God on the matter of Jerry Sandusky, how would we counsel? Would we plead for grace?

Public outcry over hideous sins should bring us, the forgiven, back to our knees, thanking God for the Grace He has shown to us.