June 5

Peace with Pardon

for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. — Luke 7:5 BSB

Saved! This poor, sin-stained soul, the one the Pharisee would have cast out onto the street—saved! Never to return to her old life. She’s now an heir of Heaven, destined to walk its streets in white. There’s an old legend that Mohammed once touched a mallow plant, and it transformed into a geranium, forever pouring out fragrance. Whether or not the legend is true, Christ did something far more miraculous in today’s story. He touched a sinful soul, and it was transformed into beauty. That woman has been in glory for nearly two thousand years. This is what Christ does for anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith.

With forgiveness came peace. There can be no peace until forgiveness has been received. No one has any right to be at peace while the guilt of sin remains. But once Christ forgives us, we should be at peace. What else is there to fear, either in this life or the next?

There’s a story of a man in the old days who had committed a capital crime. He was the king’s favorite, and despite overwhelming evidence, he showed no fear during his trial. Even as his conviction became certain, he remained calm. His friends were puzzled. Finally, at the last moment, the man produced a document—it was the king’s pardon. With that in his possession, he had no need to fear. In the same way, when we have our King’s pardon, no matter how guilty we are, we can live in peace, without fear.