Sermon Illustrations

NO ONE WOULD TAKE HIM

In 1952 a probation officer in New York City tried to find an organization that would assist in the adoption of a twelve-year-old boy. Although the child had a religious background, none of the major denominations would assist in his adoption. Said the officer later, "His case had been reported to me because he had been truant. I tried for a year to find an agency that would care for this needy youngster. Neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish institutions would take him because he came from a denomination they did not recognize. I could do nothing constructive for him." If the principles of Christian love had prevailed in the Bronx in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that young, mixed-up lad. In fact, providing a better environment in which to grow up might have changed history. For, you see, the boy was Lee Harvey Oswald - the man who assassinated John F. Kennedy.

(Source: Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons