Tuesday, October 20
 

Delivering the Pardon

It happened in the old West, or so the story goes. A convicted murderer was scheduled to be hanged the next day. But off in the territorial capital, the governor decided to pardon the criminal. Instead of being hanged, the man could go free. There was just one problem: the capital was some distance from the prison where the man was being held. The pardon document had to be carried to the prison, and it had to get there quickly, or it would be too late.

The governor asked if anyone would volunteer to take the pardon to the prison. Immediately, a man stepped forward. He grabbed the pardon, jumped onto his horse, and galloped away. All night long he rode, even continuing on foot after his horse gave out. His feet were blistered and bleeding, he was gasping for air, but still he pressed on. Finally, he staggered up to the prison, pardon in hand. The condemned man was saved.

Later, the man was asked, “why did you do it? Why did you put yourself through all that to save a low-down murderer?” The man replied,” Because I, too, am a murderer who was saved by a pardon.”

That’s how it works in God’s kingdom. Why go out of my way to bring God’s gospel pardon to sinners? Because I am a sinner saved by a pardon, and my Savior calls me to help my fellow sinners to enjoy Him and His salvation.

For Discussion: What does it mean to “pardon” someone? Where have you heard this term before? How has God pardoned us?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we glorify your name and give thanks to you for sending Jesus to pardon us from our sins. Help us to have the courage and confidence to spread the news about God’s pardon to other people. Amen.

          -          David Feddes
Dr. David Feddes is director of the Center for Advanced Studies at Crossroad Bible Institute, a distance education ministry that reaches more than 40,000 students in prison. He is also pastor of the Family of Faith Church in Monee, Illinois.