After Joe was arrested and booked into jail, he felt that his life was over. His guilt was so heavy, he wanted to find a way to end it all.

Days earlier, Joe had been driving while intoxicated when he caused an accident that killed a teenage girl. As he sat in jail, he was overcome with the immensity of the tragedy he’d caused.

While awaiting trial, Joe decided to give life another chance. He checked into a facility to get help with his drinking problem. What he discovered there redirected his life—he heard the gospel and he received Jesus as his Savior. The realities of reconciliation and forgiveness offered in a relationship with Christ gave him new hope.

When his trial came, Joe was found guilty of causing the teen’s death and sentenced to twelve years in prison. During his incarceration, he did what he could to serve his fellow prisoners and shared the good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with them. When he was finally set free, he asked to meet with his victim’s family. He was astounded when her father, mother, and brother—all sensing that he was a changed man—forgave him for taking the life of their loved one.

Consider the depth of change that happens when we seek Jesus’ forgiveness: “The old has gone, the new is here!” Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 5:17. In that new life, we enjoy the power of being reconciled with God (v. 18), which can transform the mess of our life into a promise of hope (v. 19). We can then spread the message of reconciliation to others (v. 20).

Old fears and heavy burdens give way to new hope when we accept the forgiveness and reconciliation Jesus freely offers! 

Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread Author

Our Daily Bread Ministries in Indonesia is supported by the freewill offering of individuals in Indonesia, who through their gifts enable us to continue to bring the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to many here. We are not funded by any church or organisation.

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