Massimo Lorenzini

Jesus brought a radically new message of grace and forgiveness. His message and practice was dramatically at odds with the reigning religion of the Pharisees. Jesus affirmed that His message could not be added to the existing understanding. Rather, a completely new approach one's relationship to God was necessary. Jesus came to save sinners. As such, sinners could only relate to God on the basis of His grace and a righteousness that is granted to them by faith. We will see in this story that Jesus' message of grace is completely incompatible with performance-based religion.