I recently learned a new Latin phrase: corruptio optimi pessimal. It means “the corruption of the best is the worst of all.” It points to the reality that it is the failures of those whom we most trust and admire that causes us the greatest pain. There is nothing quite so searing and despairing as finding out one of your heroes, or someone in whom you’ve invested your trust, has fallen into moral failure of some type. We expect such things from regular people, but not from the best people.

Recently, another nationally prominent pastor whom I respected fell into moral failure. More personally, a godly man I have come to greatly respect and trust acted in a way that was completely contrary to the Christlike heart and character I have always observed in him. The former revelation was discouraging – the latter agonizing.

We’ve all experienced this at one time or another; those from whom we expect the best do the worst things. Sometimes these things are done to us. Other times we are simply observers of the sin. No matter our proximity to the corruption of the best, our trust in people is eroded, we grieve a loss of hope and we place a little more armor on our hearts.

As I have tried to process these most recent events, I am reminded that this is exactly why we need Jesus. The very best of humanity, the godliest of women and men, all fail. We are all sinners, who, apart from the grace of God, would be hopelessly enslaved to our fallen natures. Only one perfect person has ever lived. There is only one who will never fail us or let us down. Eventually, the finest people we know will likely let us down in some way. Even the very best of us can fall into the snare of sin and bring pain and disappointment.

Not only can people fail us by falling into sin, we can fail people by falling into sin. It’s not just the best people who fall prey to baser instincts, selfish ambitions and impure hearts. We sin too. This is a reality of life in a fallen world. This is why we need Jesus and the gospel of grace. As Jerry Bridges writes, “Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”

Grace is not overlooking or ignoring sin. It is not a license to sin. It is God’s unmerited favor shown to us in the sacrificial life, death and resurrection of his Son. Our sin was paid for on the cross, not ignored. It is here that we find the answer to “the corruption of the best.” When the best fail, we are reminded that “none is righteous, no not one.” Even the best people need the Savior. It is in that grace that we find our only hope in life and death. People will fail. Jesus never fails. Our hope is not found in people. Our hope is found in Jesus. So, when the best are corrupted, look to incorruptible one who suffered the very worst so that we might receive the very best gift of all.