John Wesley & Thief
IllustrationStoryHistorical Account★★★★As the great Methodist preacher John Wesley rode along one night, singing a favorite hymn, he was startled as a man cried out “Halt!” And, seizing his horse’s bridle, snarled, “Your money or your life!” Wesley emptied his pockets of the few coins that he had, and invited the robber to examine his saddlebags which were filled with books. As the robber turned to make his getaway, Wesley shouted after him, “Stop!
I have something else to give you!” The robber, wondering at this strange call, turned back. Wesley, bending down toward him, said in very solemn tones, “My friend, you may live to regret this sort of a life in which you are engaged. If you ever do, I urge you to remember, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.’” The robber hurried silently away, and the man of God rode along, praying that the word spoken might be burned into the robber’s conscience.
Years later, at the door of a Sunday evening service, many people lingered after to speak with the aged preacher. A stranger stepped forward and begged to speak with Mr. Wesley. What a surprise to find that this was the robber.
The man had never forgotten the words of the minister, and had given his heart to the Lord. With tears he thanked Mr. Wesley, who replied, “You owe nothing to me, my friend, but to the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanseth us from all sin.”
The blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from all sin, too.
The point
A robber confronts John Wesley but is moved by the preacher's parting words about Christ's blood for sin; years later the man returns as a converted Christian.