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How do we know this? We know this because Jesus died while we were still sinners.

Case in point — the thief on the cross. Look at Luke 23: 43: “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (ESV). He had to admit he needed Jesus, believe who Jesus was, and confess that to Jesus.

The thief didn’t have to pay restitution. He didn’t have to go six months steal free. All he had to say was, “… remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23: 42 ESV).

It is kind of like the first Thor movie. Thor was arrogant, immature, and stubborn. As lovable as he was, he was flawed. Then he willfully disobeyed the Odin. He got stripped of his power and got himself banished.

But look what Odin did next. Did he wait until Thor saved the townspeople from the destruction Loki sent? No, he sent the hammer down to earth right after Thor. Odin even programmed it so, as soon as Thor saw the error of his ways and acknowledged that, Thor could pick the hammer back up.

Do we see some parallels here? Adam and Eve were disobedient. Their wanting to “… be like God…” (Gen. 3: 5) showed their arrogance. It could have been stubbornness that made them, even though they had paradise, to want more.

Adam and Eve got themselves banished, too. They were no longer in direct daily contact with God. Their relationship with God was in shambles.

Thor couldn’t mend his relationship with Odin. Odin was up in Asgard in a deep sleep.

We can’t mend our relationship with God. We can’t earn our way into heaven. We can’t be a good enough person and do all the do’s and don’t do all the don’ts. We can’t depend on ourselves.

Jesus Christ was sent to mend that breach. No, He didn’t come down as quickly as the hammer did. But He did come down from heaven. He lived on this earth. He was sinless. He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He came back to life and ascended into heaven. He is there right now.