His comment was a crude remark about Dan Crenshaw and his eyepatch. Crenshaw is a former Navy Seal officer who lost an eye while serving in Afghanistan when an IED exploded near him. Crenshaw and his eyepatch had been prominent in the public eye as he was then the Texas Congressman-elect for Texas’ 2nd congressional district, an office that he holds today. Davidson’s crude comment about Crenshaw’s eyepatch reflected their differing political views rather than a personal attack. But many Americans were outraged by what they perceived as a disrespectful and hurtful comment. Many expressed their outrage against Davidson on social media.

Davidson became depressed and even despondent because of the backlash against him. He made a post on Instagram that expressed his anquish: "I really don’t want to be on this earth anymore. I’m doing my best to stay here for you but I actually don’t know how much longer I can last. All I’ve ever tried to do was help people. Just remember I told you so."

In an interview with Houston’s NBC affiliate KPRC, Crenshaw stated that Davidson’s post was "pretty devastating." He added, "You don’t want to see somebody in that kind of position… to the point where they’re actually putting out a cry for help on social media. That’s not a good place to be in."

When he was alerted of Davidson’s troublesome post, Crenshaw reached out to him by phone. His purpose was not to rebuke him for his hurtful remark or to tell him he was "getting what he deserved." Instead, Crenshaw called him to encourage him. He told him that God had a purpose for him. He encouraged him to know his value: "Know that you have value, and that you do more good than you realize for people." Crenshaw told KPRC that all people have value, "especially a guy like that: he makes people laugh. Sometimes, he makes people mad," said Crenshaw as he laughed, "but he makes people laugh a lot."

In the following Saturday Night Live show after his unfortunate remark, Davidson apologized to Crenshaw. Crenshaw accepted his apology. After they shook hands, Crenshaw said to the television audience: "There’s a lot of lessons to learn here. Not just that the left and right can agree on some things, but also this – Americans can forgive one another." *

Our sins put Jesus on the cross. He did not die for His own sins, but for ours. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24 NIV). Therefore, our sins are ultimately against Him. He is the One we’ve hurt.

But Jesus says, "You hurt Me, but I love you. I love you so much that I gave My life for you to pay the price for your sins so that you can be forgiven by God. If you will accept My offer of salvation, you can be reconciled to God and live eternally with Me in heaven."

Jesus says to you and to me, "You hurt Me, but I forgive you."

That is forgiveness. That is grace. That is too great an offer to refuse.

Won’t YOU accept His offer of forgiveness and eternal life through your trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent