a chance at a new life

Joshua 20:4-6 (JDV)

Joshua 20:4 When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before the elders of that city, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them.
Joshua 20:5 And if the avenger of blood chases him, they must not hand the one who committed manslaughter over to him, because he killed his neighbor accidentally and did not hate him beforehand.
Joshua 20:6 He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the one who committed manslaughter may return home to his own city from which he escaped.”

a chance at a new life

The cities of refuge were not a “get out of jail free card.” They were designed to give a defendant time to make his case in a trial without being immediately hunted down by the victim’s relatives and killed out of revenge. They allowed distance and promoted objectivity. They did not ignore the crime, but allowed a solution without making things worse.

In the same way, our Lord calls out to you — sinner — and asks you to come to his refuge. He knows what you have done, and what you have not done. He knows that if you stay where you are, your guilt and the evil world you are in will destroy you. He is not ignoring your sin, but offers you a new life. Will you accept the offer of new life in exchange for your guilt and shame?

Lord, draw more people to yourself today, and give them a chance at a new life.