A shoplifter is caught and brought into the manager's office. The manager wants to teach the shoplifter a very valuable lesson.
Manager: Now son, if you were in my position, what would you do?
Thief: I'd call the police, Sir.
Manager: And would you like me to do that?
Thief: No, Sir.
Manager: You'd like me to let you go?
Thief: Yes, Sir.
The manager turns to the security guard and asks for the stuff the shoplifter tried to steal.
Manager: Now son, I could call the police and press charges. Or I could just let you go and pretend this never happened. But you see, I believe in Jesus, so I'm not going to do either of those things.
The manager calculates the price of the stolen items and pulls out his wallet.
Manager: You see Son, we're all sinners, and not one of us deserves to call God our Father. But on the cross, our sin was paid for, and when Jesus walked out of that tomb, he bought us eternal life. So here's what I'll do. I'm going to buy you these things you tried to steal, and you can have the rest of the money in my wallet. You're going to walk out of here a free man, your theft forgotten, and you're going to turn your life around. I'll even give you a job here in the shop. God bless you Son.
When it comes to sin, there are three options available to Jesus.
1. Justice.
Jesus can write up the sum total of our sins and condemn us for them for all eternity.
2. Mercy
Jesus can forget our sins, pretending they never happened.
3. Grace
Jesus can pay for our sins for us and give us the reward for his own righteousness.
The first option is undesirable for all of us. Jesus doesn't want to punish us, and we certainly don't want to be punished. Sadly, many people will face justice, because it's the only option they leave open to Jesus.
The second is simple mercy. This is certainly a better option for us, but what is the result? There's little difference between God having mercy on us and us simply getting away with the crime on our own. Mercy is what God shows us, and even what He (temporarily) shows the wicked, but in the end, it changes nothing.
The third option, grace, is by far the most powerful. It not only wipes the slate clean but also restores the relationship between sinner and God in a way that actually changes our lives. This is God's favorite option, and it's our best option as well.