Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20

The four lads in the buggy are Amish.

In Sherman, Ohio, about 80 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York, it's not unusual to see young Amish folk going buggying, especially on a Sunday night. Living a lifestyle that has long since disappeared for the rest of the world, these four give every impression of having "got it together," as they lead a life that is honest, hard-working and honorable.

Watching their buggy meander down the road, the casual observer can be forgiven if he feels just a bit of envy in regard to these pastoral pals, who are so obviously removed from all the temptations, troubles and tribulations of the modern world.

What would you say if I told you the four were about to be arrested? Would you shout, "Police harassment!"? Would you cry, "Religious profiling!"?

I hope you wouldn't jump to any such conclusion. The four were arrested for driving their buggy under the influence of alcohol.

And how did the police know they were under the influence? The Chautauqua County sheriff made a wild guess when they drove their buggy into his squad car and flipped the buggy onto its side. His report is not the only one making the rounds. Sadly, good witnesses are hard to find, since the other buggies that were there fled the scene of the accident.

Still, drinking and buggying happens. In July of 2011 another Amish lad led the police on a low-speed chase, after an officer saw him consuming beer in his buggy.

This all goes to prove what Scripture has always maintained: there is not a just man on the earth, who does good and doesn't sin. Not even the Amish or you and me.

This is precisely why we need a Savior.

Knowing we were doomed to die both temporarily and eternally, God chose to send His Son to take our place under the Law. More than that, Jesus had to successfully resist all temptations thrown against Him and, then, when His life was complete, He had to defeat death.

All this Jesus did so you might be forgiven, so your debts to the Law could be forgiven.

All this Jesus did so four Amish lads would know their Heavenly Father forgives them more completely than did their earthly fathers, who had to get them out of jail.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, from the cross You saw the sins of these four, even as You saw mine. For having died to rescue me from me, I am most thankful. May everyone in the world join me in giving thanks. This I ask in the Name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 11-13    Luke 4:31-44

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