LightGrams
February 27, 2025
Volume 29, Number 9
Jeffrey Clothier was recently elected to the Genesee County District Court in Michigan. He appears to be taking his job seriously, having said, “there’s going to be consequences when you break the law.” He seems to also be a compassionate man who wants to help offenders of the law pay for their crime while also learning better ways to deal with life’s challenges.
Clothier was shocked at the number of shoplifting charges brought before his court; in one day alone there were 48 such cases. When convictions follow, the judge hands them a sponge and a bucket. They are told to report to Walmart – a store well acquainted with shoplifting – and on an assigned day free car washes will be offered to customers, using the labor of these offenders.
Most will agree that this judge’s approach is innovative. Instead of locking up more people to spend time without gainful results, the community will benefit as those convicted will learn something about consequences. But there’s one more detail about Judge Clothier you should know: the judge will be right beside these men and women as they wash cars.
Speaking of judges, there is none greater than Jesus. Paul noted this fact in 2 Timothy 4:1: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.” Peter agreed with this as he spoke to Cornelius in Acts 10:42: Jesus Christ “is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.”
Jesus is more than the ultimate Judge, however; He longs to be the Savior of all. He told Zacchaeus, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Judgment Day will result in many receiving disastrous eternal sentences. You won’t see Jesus laughing at those proclamations, though. His strongest desire is to save everyone (see 2 Peter 3:9).
At what price did Jesus made this salvation possible? Galatians 3:13 tells us: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” You might say that Jesus sentenced Himself to experience the punishment that was rightfully ours.
About 700 years before it happened Isaiah predicted the events which made possible forgiveness of sins: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). In Acts 8:26-40 Philip used this remarkable prophecy to preach Jesus to an Ethiopian, a man who welcomed such good news and was baptized upon hearing it. We also should welcome it.
A judge washing cars alongside people he convicted of shoplifting is impressive. The Judge of all judges paying the penalty of the sins of all mankind is humbling. We need to get acquainted with Jesus!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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