The recent news of an...
Illustration
The recent news of an execution of a criminal on death row gave the pastor an idea for communicating the truth of Christ's suffering on our behalf. As his catechism class took their seats, he told them this story:
The prisoner was led into the execution chamber by a prison guard with a chaplain walking at his side reciting prayers and Scripture. There was a look of resignation and choked-back fear on his face as he was strapped into the electric chair. He had been guilty of the crime, so he knew there would no last-minute phone call pardon or stay of execution from the governor's office. He knew he was going to die by electrocution. No amount of remorse or sorrow could change that. The law said he must die and that was that. A farewell statement was made to his family and friends. A final prayer was uttered by the chaplain ending with the prisoner and the chaplain praying the Lord's Prayer together.
Right after the chaplain and the guard left the chamber, something very bizarre happened. Seemingly out of nowhere appeared a stranger who methodically unstrapped the prisoner's wrists and ankles, and gently pulled him from the chair. Then he hugged the prisoner, told him that he was loved and forgiven, and proceeded to strap himself in the killing chair. As the powerful electricity burst through the chair, the stranger's body jerked with pain and then was limp in death.
-- Thompson
The prisoner was led into the execution chamber by a prison guard with a chaplain walking at his side reciting prayers and Scripture. There was a look of resignation and choked-back fear on his face as he was strapped into the electric chair. He had been guilty of the crime, so he knew there would no last-minute phone call pardon or stay of execution from the governor's office. He knew he was going to die by electrocution. No amount of remorse or sorrow could change that. The law said he must die and that was that. A farewell statement was made to his family and friends. A final prayer was uttered by the chaplain ending with the prisoner and the chaplain praying the Lord's Prayer together.
Right after the chaplain and the guard left the chamber, something very bizarre happened. Seemingly out of nowhere appeared a stranger who methodically unstrapped the prisoner's wrists and ankles, and gently pulled him from the chair. Then he hugged the prisoner, told him that he was loved and forgiven, and proceeded to strap himself in the killing chair. As the powerful electricity burst through the chair, the stranger's body jerked with pain and then was limp in death.
-- Thompson
