What if a Man Refused the Pardon?

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We are continuing our study of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and His payment on the cross for the debt of sin we owed. Christ came to be our substitutionary sacrifice. Today, I would like to ask you, how is your debt? Is it gone from you? The Messiah has paid your debt for you, but until you receive the pardon, you are still in your sin. Let me illustrate with a true life story:
In the year 1829, a Philadelphia man named George Wilson robbed the U.S. Mail Service, killing someone in the process. Wilson was arrested, brought to trial, found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. Some friends intervened on his behalf and were finally able to obtain a pardon for him from President Andrew Jackson. But, when he was informed of this, George Wilson refused to accept the pardon! The sheriff was unwilling to enact the sentence—for how could he hang a pardoned man? An appeal was sent to President Jackson. The perplexed President turned to the United States Supreme Court to decide the case. Chief Justice Marshall ruled that a pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends on its acceptance by the person implicated. It is hardly to be supposed that a person under the sentence of death would refuse to accept a pardon, but if it is refused, it is then not a pardon. George Wilson must be hanged. So, George Wilson was executed, although his pardon lay on the sheriff’s desk. What will you do with the full pardon offered to you by the Chief Justice—the God of the Universe?[1]

I want to end this story with a thought about what happened as the soldiers cast lots for Christ’s clothes. Consider this. At the same time that Jesus was dying in agony for them, these men were indifferent. They were playing games and unconcerned about His suffering. It was just an ordinary day for them. They did not realize that their eternal destiny hung in the balance, that everything depended upon this act of selfless love. This picture shows us the indifference of the world to Christ. They played a game as if it did not matter. Whatever you do with the matter of Christ’s sacrifice, know that this does require a response. What will be your response to this gift, this sacrifice? Like George Wilson will you leave it on the table?

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great love and mercy expressed to us in the giving of Your Son to die in our place. Please forgive me! Help me to never play games with such things as this. Cleanse me from sin and make me new. I turn my life over to you and desire to be free from the spiritual shackles that have bound me. Amen! Keith Thomas

[1]1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Edited by Michael Green. Published by Baker Books. Page 317. 

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