WHO DESERVES THE DEATH PENALTY? This morning as I was talking with mother about my friend Mike who came up missing last night after he was released from jail she said something very profound, Jesus went to jail too. Immediately, I was taken back to my tour of the states correctional facilities and some of the people I met while incarcerated. You see when you first get on the yard at a 3 and 4 level security prison you are taught some rules. You are showed where to walk and where not to walk. Where you can sit and where not to sit and if you are a short timer like me you are told never to talk about your our date. On these yards you will often share time with the lifers and if you happen to mention your out date it is considered a form of disrespect. Its not that they cant tell your fresh or not staying long. They can pick you out by how you talk and your swagger. There is a certain stroll that one gets after walking around the same track for years after year. To put it in laymens terms it is similar to rubbing it into their faces and to do so could get you a severe beating or stabbing to death if you are lucky because the alternative could possibly be a new charge which would result in being forced to live out your miserable existence there, on the yard. Now, I say all of this to set the stage for what I am about to sow into your heart. I walked many hours side by side with these men as they poured their lifes story into me and shared their regrets. An unexplainable sadness fills your heart as you look into the eyes of a person who is never going to leave that place alive and will never feel the relief of freedom. These are the criminals that by societys standards that have been afforded the privilege to live. Now, what about the atrocities it takes to make it to the unforgiving reality of death row or the day to day sufferings of a person sentenced to death? Today it would take the ugliest of crimes to reach this pinnacle. You would find yourself staged across the green mile from the likes of monsters such as Jeffery Dahmer or Hollywoods famous Hannibal Lecter. How many times have I looked over this gruesome reality when it comes to Jesus and His time in the dungeons of yore. Many I must admit. If Im being honest it has never quite hit home like it has today. By the standards of society back then Jesus was convicted of a crime that was punishable by the worst possible fashion. The agony of the cross was reserved for the select few in whose crimes were so despicable that they would be hung in grim delight outside the city gates for all to see. Humility that would reach to the core of humanity and display its wrath for miles. It must have been hell for Jesus in those final hours as the gallows hall picked at his brain. The screams and agony of the other prisoners would not compare to feeling that welled up hot inside. His stomach must have been burning as time etched across the chalkboard of life. It is here were we must place ourselves to grasp what has ultimately been done for us. Do you realize how much love it would take for a person to willingly suffer and take your place? Some might say it is like a Fathers love or perhaps a mother could remotely attempt to understand what it means to love in this manner. But how could anyone completely fathom this level of commitment unless they were there? You can not and neither can I! In writing this I have attempted to paint a picture that would stir your heart to burn. To turn from your ways and not take what has been done in for granted. Some of you will argue and others will miss out but the fact is that Jesus did die for you and was raised to heaven in glorious embrace. My heart cries out for those that do not know or feel what I do and wish to ignore the invitations. The reality of their decision is fatal and eternal. Jesus does not wish that any will perish but many will. Heaven and hell are for real. Do you dare risk the chance?! You can join me and reserve your spot in heaven by asking Jesus into your heart and confessing that He died and rose to heaven. Then turn and repent of your sins and you will be forgiven. For scripture says of this man named Jesus that loved you so much, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Therefore, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Please pray that many will read this and share it on their pages so that others might feel the hope of eternity and ask Jesus to be Lord and Savoir. Amen & Amen Scotty P.S. If you or somebody you know needs help call the prayer line 24/7 @ 1-844-PRAYERZ (1-844-772-9379)
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:39:56 +0000