S T for Saint
Story★★★★Two sheep thieves were caught, and the authorities branded on their foreheads the letters “S T” for “Sheep Thief.” One man, wishing to escape the censure of the townsmen, moved to another village. The second thief remained in the community of his crime. Through the years he attempted to make up for his sin. When old age came, the letters were still on his forehead, but when children asked what the “S T” meant, the parents would say that they meant “Saint.”
— Rev. George A. Buttrick, D.D.
Also attributed to: Unknown
Found in A TREASURY OF SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS, CHARLES L. WALLIS · chunk wallis_ab (pages 2 of 2)
The point
Two sheep thieves are branded with 'S T.' One flees; the other stays, lives a redeemed life, and the letters come to be read as 'Saint.'
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:17Isaiah 1:18John 8:111 Peter 2:12Romans 5:20
Audience
AdultsYouthChildrenSmall Group
Occasions
Easter · Baptism · Communion
Tone
Uplifting · Hopeful
To tell aloud
under a minute · 167 words
Subjects