You can’t miss Tyrone Lamont Allen with his prominent face tattoo.
It made him look like the “most likely” suspect to the police.
He was arrested and jailed for a bank robbery committed years before.
The judge saw more than a crime. He saw a young man who had spent three years working to help young people stay away from the same offense that he had committed and wished he hadn’t. The judge wanted to give him another chance.
Allen made this statement to the court:
“I’m here to accept responsibility for my actions. I come from a really hard background and am trying to change. People never gave up on me when I gave up on myself. They pushed me to be a better person. And today, I know I’m a better person.”
Redemption came because he wanted to change.
In John 8, Jesus faced a snarling mob wanting to make a woman a pawn in a power play. Do they stone her for adultery, or was Jesus saying, “ignore the law.”
He told them, “let him without sin cast the first stone.” It cleared the square of accusers. The woman stood alone. Jesus asked if anyone condemned her and, then spoke words of redemption:
“She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”” (John 8:11).
God takes the sinner, buys him back from sin, and then points him in the right direction. Redemption is a second chance when we don’t deserve one.
How will you use your redemption?
-Robert G. Taylor-
