“Death row inmate to walk free”
This is the headline today, Good Friday, in my local newspaper.
Anthony Ray Hinton—after nearly 30 years in prison—is being set free this morning.
After a new look at old evidence, it just wasn’t enough. No one could be sure that the now 58-yr-old Hinton was the one who murdered a man at a Mrs. Winner’s restaurant and one at a Captain D’s in 1985.
So Hinton gets to go home.
I think I’ve heard this story before.
- Evidence was dropped for Barabbas, the insurrectionist released on the first Good Friday (Matthew 27:15-26).
- The thief on the cross beside Jesus, still being crucified, was set free that very afternoon after a conversation with Jesus (Luke 23:39-43).
- And since then, I have been set free (Romans 8:1-4).
- You have been set free.
Christ erases the old charges and opens the prison cells to let us go home.
I wonder what Anthony Hinton will do first. Where will he go? Who will he tell?
I wonder what we will do next. Where will we go? Who will we tell?
May you be overwhelmed this Easter, forever grateful for overturned convictions.
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Excellent analogy, Lisa. Didn’t see that coming. Happy Easter.
It was just crazy timing to see that article in the paper first thing on Good Friday. Couldn’t help but put two and two together with him and us. Hoping you’re having a blessed Easter, Floyd!
Excellent analogy! Even more amazing that we were set free when the evidence truly was against us and we were guilty and deserving of punishment. . “Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
I agree that the analogy isn’t quite the same with this man and with us because we are indeed guilty and forgiven anyway—so yes, even more amazing for us! Happy Easter to you and your family, Barbara.
Blessings, Lisa! So glad you stopped by my place and though I’m feeling like I should be doing work–I’m glad I dropped by yours for some of your notes. Delightful catching up with you and your fruitful life! A great metaphor here with the death row inmate being released. God does nothing without thought. Who knows that this man endured what he did for just such a moment as this–this very week. Perhaps such a parable will hit home with a soul and they’ll make Christ their home.
Be ye blessed this Resurrection Sunday! Will be posting the Epilogue to my poem post for Sunday.
Joy!
Kathy
That’s a good thought, Kathryn, that maybe this man being released on this particular day will hit home with someone else near him that needs just such a lesson in grace. And for him too because I’m sure he’s going to have a difficult time readjusting to the world and having lost 30 years of his life due to prejudice and wrong judgments.
If Anthony wasn’t guilty, what a waste of thirty years. And doesn’t the enemy like to keep us in prison when freedom is within reach? Our joy in the freedom Christ gives is far greater to a physical release. Rejoicing today in anticipation of Resurrection Sunday!
Yes, such an incredible waste of the prime years of his life! Years he can never get back. But God can redeem anything, right? Praying He redeems these years for Anthony. It’s been interesting to follow his journey in our newspaper. He said his first restaurant was going to be somewhere that there was a buffet. 🙂
I love how you tied in our freedom in Christ thru this man’s freedom from persecution. Creative. And thought provoking. I need to chew on this some more. Good stuff lady!
Thanks, Nicki. I can’t seem to get Anthony Hinton off my mind, so it was a perfect tie-in for the miracle of resurrection and forgiveness and grace. We are blessed!
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