The King of Criminals

An exceptionally cunning and brutish prisoner was, like others, being visited by a brother. Compared to the other prisoners, he was repugnant and known for his audacity and complete callousness when committing acts of violence. He was called “the king of criminals”.

Despite the several times the brother counseled him, the man was unresponsive and intolerant of any instruction. Finally, he asked for a specific book that wasn’t available at the library. So, the brother pointed to the Bible, which belonged to the prisoner’s room, asking if he had already read that book.

The criminal didn’t answer and just glared at him. So, this brother repeated the question, assuring him that God’s Word was worth reading. “If you knew who I am,” said the prisoner, “you would not ask me such a question. What do I have to do with such a book?”

He (the brother) then explained that he knew the man’s fame and character very well and that the Bible could help him. The prisoner insisted that it would be of no use to him, as he no longer had feelings. He banged his fist on the iron door and shouted, “My heart is as hard as this iron; nothing in this book can touch me.”

Then the brother asked if he had already read the text of Ezekiel 36:26. The prisoner, stubborn, asked what he meant by that. “Listen to these words,” the brother said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.”

The man was amazed and asked the brother to show him the passage in the Bible. He read the words over and over again, and when the brother returned the next day, the prisoner was meek. “My friend,” he said, “I never dreamed of such a promise! I never had the slightest idea that God could speak to men in such a way. If He grants me a new heart, it will be a miracle, because only the hope of a new nature will bring me the emotion I have never felt in my life.”

This man accepted a study with his brother and became meek, obedient, and of a gentle spirit like a child.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we must never be too quick to judge someone. Sometimes we have a tendency, especially in the field ministry, to say “oh, this one will not listen” or “oh, that one is already lost”. Never do that.

“Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; look! new things have come into existence.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Only Jehovah truly knows our heart and it is He who attracts us to his organization. So, we must do like that brother and spread the word of Jehovah to everyone, without exceptions, without judgments, because we do not know the heart, but Jehovah does.

Did you liked this post? Leave us a comment below!