In 1974, President Gerald Ford gave unconditional pardon to Richard Nixon for any crimes committed during the Watergate scandal.

Following the 1972 presidential election, the country was shocked by the growing revelation of a scandal of political sabotage, criminal crimes involving burglary and break-ins, and a massive cover-up operation that crept all the way into the White House and the Oval Office. As a result, President Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency and left the White House.

Vice President Gerald Ford took office and soon after decided, “My conscience tells me clearly and certainly that I cannot prolong the bad dreams that continue to reopen a chapter that is closed. My conscience tells me that only I, as President, have the constitutional power to firmly shut and seal this book.” And so, Gerald Ford gave Richard Nixon an absolute and unconditional pardon.

It was a highly unpopular decision, and it probably cost President Ford reelection to office in 1976. Despite that, President Ford has maintained that it was best for the country.

We don’t like it when people seem to “get off the hook” and are not punished for their wrongdoings. We want justice. Or do we? What about when it comes to the wrong things we do? Aren’t there times when we would really appreciate an “unconditional pardon” when we mess up?

The good news is that because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross, we always have an unconditional and absolute pardon for our sins. Remember the two thieves who were crucified along with Jesus that Good Friday? One mocked Jesus. The other, realizing who Jesus really was, asked for a pardon. Remember Jesus’ words? “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Pardoned. Forgiven. That’s good news for people who mess up, make wrong choices, and do bad things. That’s good news for all of us.

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

To Do

What do you need an unconditional pardon for today? Ask Jesus. He will pardon you.

Also on this day

Today is National Grandparents Day. Give one of yours a call or a hug today!

Today also is National Iguana Awareness Day. (Don’t hug an iguana!)

1966—Star Trek premiered on TV.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.