The Pardon

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

 

In November 1996, King Hussein of Jordan pardoned a man who had been given a three-year sentence for slandering him. King Hussein left his palace in Amman and drove 60 miles south to the prison at Swaqa. There he picked up a prisoner and took him to his home in the capital.

The king had pardoned Laith Shbaylat, serving a three-year sentence for slandering the king and his family. Laith had denounced the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty of 1994 as an act of treason.

The king explained his actions by saying that he could not hold a grudge and that the man's imprisonment was a burden on his soul.

This is an amazing account of a pardon. What prisoner would not be astounded to look up and see the king or the president, reaching out a hand to lead him to freedom? For those who know Jesus Christ this is a wonderful reality. 

 

Jesus not only pardoned our sins, He took the punishment for them. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that through His death we have life in Him. 

 

“The death of Christ as our substitute is the heart of the gospel. It’s not just that He died, but that He died for our sins.” – Gil Rugh

 

God’s Word: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” – 1 Peter 2:24-25