Moving the Comma

[426 words] Alexander III was Tsar of Russia from 1881-1894. His rule was marked by repression, and in particular by persecution of Jews. His wife, Maria Fedorovna, provided a stark contrast, being known for her generosity to those in need. On one occasion her husband had signed an order consigning a prisoner to life in exile. It read simply, “Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia.” Maria changed that prisoner’s life by moving the comma in her husband’s order. She altered it to “Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia.” All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus taught that each person is traveling one of two roads: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go…