Accepting His Pardon

I don’t consider myself a U.S. history buff, but the other day I came upon this interesting story that I’d like to pass along. During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, George Wilson, a postal clerk, robbed a federal payroll from a train and in the process killed a guard. The court convicted him and sentenced him to death by hanging. Because of public sentiment against capital punishment, however, a movement began to secure a presidential pardon for Wilson (first offense), and eventually Jackson intervened with a pardon. Amazingly, Wilson refused it. Since this had never happened before, the Supreme Court was asked to rule on whether someone could indeed refuse a presidential pardon. Chief Justice John Marshall handed down the court’s decision: "A pardon is a parchment whose only value must be determined by the receiver of the pardon. It has no value apart from that which the receiver gives to it. George Wilson has refused to accept the pardon. We cannot conceive why he would do so, but he has. Therefore, George Wilson must die." And so, as punishment for his crime, George Wilson, on a day appointed by the court, was taken from his cell and hanged to satisfy the requirements of the law. Pardon, declared the Supreme Court, must not only be granted, it must be accepted. It’s hard for us to imagine anyone turning down a presidential pardon, in effect choosing death over life, but he did.  I’m sure that George’s mother, wife, children or friends, had pleaded with him to reconsider.  I can even see myself, as his mother, asking the supreme court to let me accept the pardon for him. No can do, said the court, only the convicted person had the right to either accept or reject the pardon.

 The point I want to make is, we all stand convicted of sin, in the eyes of God.  “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.” Romans 3:23, and the punishment is death.  Yes, we’ve are all been found guilty, and like George, deserve the penalty.  “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8.  Instead of the gallows, God holds forth his pardon, a “get out of hell free” card; will you accept it? You’d be a fool not to, but that said, the world is filled with lots of fools.  For whatever reason, they turn down the gracious offer and choose death. Remember, only you can accept the pardon.  Your Mom, spouse, church or pastor can’t stand in as your proxy. If you haven’t done so already, don’t put it off another day. Then go out and spread the good news!!