A few years ago, I met an inmate who once sat on death row. Years prior, his sentence was changed from death row to life in prison, and it happened about ten minutes before he was to go t o die.
Now, that’s something that takes my breath away! What grace he received due to a set of unexpected circumstances! First, our thoughts might process the ‘if he should have received the pardon,’ but I must remember that grace and mercy from Jesus come to those He calls, not those I’ve decided are worthy.
This same inmate, whom I chatted with, told me, “My grandma told me to follow Jesus, that Jesus offers me peace and true freedom. I didn’t listen to her, not for a long time. And I should have—but now Christ has changed me. I’m finally at peace, and yet I’m still in prison. That’s right, today I am free.”
In the Bible, I’m reminded of how Jesus did the unthinkable. He went to the tomb of a friend when Martha came for Him, and He wept. And then He shouted for the dead Lazarus to come out. And Lazarus did! He exited the tomb. Life was at hand! Death was overcome by the love-offering Jesus spoke.
When I think of my friend in prison who ate pizza for the second time in his life that day, and he’s my age, I’m encouraged by this inmate’s story. I’m thrilled to know of his redemption and how he was called from death to life.
Remember that Lazarus wasn’t the only miracle that day in that story in the Bible. Sure, Jesus resurrected Lazarus, but Martha’s heart was rescued from despair, too. And Jesus did so with His words, which held power.
I don’t know what weighs you down. Or what your past says about you. But remember that Satan came to destroy you, while Christ came to redeem you. And Christ brings change, and He guides you with love and correction, and He gives life. He takes your despair and offers you hope and mercy. He is the breath in your lungs and the peace in your soul.
As I think about this inmate, I am thankful to have the pleasure of sitting beside him. And I love that he was thrilled to speak of Christ. I love that he wanted me to take a picture of him holding a slice of pizza, too. I also love that his relative sang a gospel song encouraging him—and all the other inmates during the event at the prison that day. And I love that his story reminded me of my story—of Christ calling me out of the chamber of death (my tomb of sin) when His mercy called me by name.
Goodness, I still can’t get that inmate’s redemption story out of my mind—because years ago, he was minutes from taking his last breath and dying in his sin on death row. And then, he was redeemed physically—and eventually heard the call of Christ upon his life! Yes, that’s amazing grace, the sweetest sound I know, and it’s wrapped inside a beautiful miracle—one I never want to forget!
I want to sit and relish the magnificent love found in Jesus, too, because He’s ready to rescue you. Even at the last hour! Or in the next ten minutes! Because His words offer life! You can be set free! Listen for His call!
