A lady once came to Governor Nash and said, “Governor Nash, I have come to speak to you on behalf of my poor boy who is soon to die in the electric chair. Governor, I have not come to ask for justice but for mercy, not for his sake but mine. He is my only son and support. Governor, if you can do anything, do it for my sake.”
The governor was courteous and promised to look into the matter. Shortly afterwards he went down to the prison where the boy was awaiting his execution. When the young man saw the governor, thinking he was a minister who had come to speak with him, he became very angry and insulting. He said to the governor, “I have no time for you, and I will be pleased if you will let me alone.”
“But,” said the governor, “I have come to see you about an important matter and you might be interested.” The young man almost cursed him and demanded that he leave.
“Very well,” replied the governor, “good-bye.”
When the governor was gone the warden said to the young man, “How did Governor Nash and you get along?” When he learned that it was not a minister but the governor, he fell upon the concrete floor and cried, “Have I insulted the only man who could save my life?”
That is what he had done. And that is what everyone is doing who has rejected Jesus Christ.