If you’re over 40, you might get a chill as I resurrect a shadowy name from the 1970s: Son of Sam.
This was the nickname David Berkowitz gave himself as he terrorized New York City, killing six people and wounding seven in 1976-77. In prison since then, he claimed during his trial that he was under the influence of a demon who possessed his neighbour’s dog.
Berkowitz was in the news not too long ago, responding to a 2011 Fox News reporter’s inquiry to reveal he would no longer seek parole because his faith has already made him free.
“I am not saying this jokingly,” he wrote. “Jesus Christ [who many people believe is the Son of God] has already forgiven and pardoned me, and I believe this. He has given me a whole new life, which I do not deserve. I am forever grateful for such forgiveness.”
Before you begin protesting, Berkowitz has expressed remorse for his crimes, dating back to 2007 when he issued an apology on his website. He expressed remorse again in his Fox News letter, writing “I have deep regret and sorrow over my past criminal actions.”
But that’s not the point of this essay. The point is more controversial. Has the Son of Sam been forgiven by Jesus? Has he been given “a whole new life”?
The answer, if Berkowitz is sincere, is YES. If he came to believe that Jesus died to pay for his crimes, and as a result asked for the forgiveness Jesus made available to every person on this planet, then YES. If he’s committed himself to following Jesus, then YES.
Isn’t this outrageous? That’s the scandal of God’s grace (unmerited favour) through Jesus. It isn’t just available to you and I for those times we exceeded the speed limit or lied to our supervisors or paid for some service under the table. It’s available for everything. For everyone, including the Son of Sam.
Our culture may not consider this a good thing. But it is. In fact, I regard this grace as one of the things that most separates following Jesus from other faiths. And it is based on a complete lack of what some cultures call a “caste” system that ranks people’s value.
When Paul, one of the earliest Jesus followers, wrote in a letter that “all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory,” he didn’t include a footnote that singled out some people or groups as having sinned more (or less). That statement is the great equalizer for all humanity. See? No caste system.
So, if you’re carrying around something that pesters you like a persistent backache, do what David Berkowitz has done: place your trust in Jesus, ask for forgiveness with complete sincerity, then receive it. And believe it, because that forgiveness is as real and enduring as death, taxes, and annoying reality TV shows.
Even if you’re not burdened with guilt, give some consideration to this faith that goes beyond our wavering ability to forgive. It provides permanent grace, an extraordinary gift to a broken world.
What do you think? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Thank you for this post. It’s a wonderful reminder that there is nothing you can do to gain Gods grace except have faith in Jesus and what He did on the cross.
Yep, it’s Good News, allright! Thanks for reading and commenting, Lewis. 🙂
This is an amazing testimony to the power and inclusiveness of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins. Our pastor often tells us that the word “sin” literally means “missing the mark.” In other words, it doesn’t matter if you miss the bulls-eye by a hair or a mile, you’ve missed it. Period! What a relief it is to know God’s grace covers us all when we turn to Him and ask to be forgiven.
Blessings, Frank, and thanks for this beautiful post!
I’ve heard the “missing the mark” definition for sin and have always liked it, Martha. Thanks for mentioning it here. 🙂
Great article. Not only does Berkowitz’s actions speak of the inclusiveness of forgiveness, but it also displays the power of repentance!
Absolutely! Thanks for reading and contributing, John. 🙂
Reblogged this on ZEITGEIST.
And I would add to these great insights that Jesus’ forgiveness was not a “one shot deal” but rather is part and parcel of being followers both individually and as faith communities.
All too often, the post-modern listener hears our words and says in effect “so what”? No arguments pro or con, just indifference.
Our only reply to a skeptical (no, make that cynical) world is with a question – addressed not to them but to ourselves: “How then shall we live”? Shall we live our lives and relationships according to the pattern established in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit? Shall we live out the way of redemption that includes the radical forgiveness and reconciliation taught and lived by Jesus?
Brothers and Sisters, How then shall we live?
Ross in KC
Excellent questions, Ross. Thanks for contributing! 🙂
Well, shazam! Good for him. I believe everyone has a choice to make every day. Sounds like he’s really made that choice, and if so, it is certainly something to celebrate. Things happen for a reason.
I recently visited someone at a prison in Thailand, where I live. She is a Phillipina who started selling drugs and vowed to stop once she had enough money. She got greedy and kept selling. Now, she’s in prison, working as the minister. People gather daily to hear her sermons and to beg for her to pray for them. She’s 42, and has been in jail in Thailand since she was in her 20s. She’s supposed to get out in 6 years, but is praying she can get out in 2 years, meet a man, get married and have children. Maybe it will happen. If so, she might be the best mom ever.
It’s too bad so many people suffer (or die in the case of this essay) when people commit crimes, but hopefully, some good, somehow will come from it. Maybe David Berkowitz will inspire people in and out of prison. If nothing else, he at least got us chatting.
Indeed, Sandy. And best of all, he has us all thinking about one of the most amazing aspects of Christianity – total forgiveness for anyone who *really* wants it. 🙂
So mass murders get forgiven? I’m sorry but I hope you understand why I want nothing to do with that religion. If anyone can be forgiven, then why are there rules? Why are there the 10 commandments? Why not just say, do whatever you want because you’ll be forgiven in the end? If everyone gets forgiven, what’s the point of Hell?
Robert, it’s very understandable why you would react that way. The very thing that draws some to follow Jesus (like me) is also the very thing that some cannot tolerate. I get that.
But there’s a key transformation that MUST happen before that forgiveness is given and that’s the transformation that happened to David Berkowitz when he seriously, sincerely committed his life to Christ. And for some people, that very act is even more difficult than forgiving heinous crimes.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Robert. I hope you’ll think about what you read, let it sink into your soul and maybe return to read some more. 🙂
Well if there’s such room for forgiveness, why not what til the afterlife until you repent? Why not wait til the gates of Hell before you have a change of heart?
Hi Robert: Why not wait ’til the afterlife to repent? Because if you have any feeling or sense of right/wrong, you won’t want to live with yourself until then.
There’s another reason, too. Following Christ isn’t just about eternity, Robert, it’s about the HERE and NOW. Does this make sense?