“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Today’s story is about a man who most people would consider the “chief of sinners.”  He left a legacy that was both one of evil and one of God’s grace.  David Berkowitz became infamous in the summer of 1976-77 for shooting six young people and injuring seven others.  He came up with the nickname “Son of Sam” because he claimed the neighbor’s dog, Sam, told him to carry out the shootings.  However, after a conversion to Christ, he wrote a prison journal and entitled it, “Son of Hope.”

David was adopted into a loving middle class home in New York City.  His parents were Jewish and tried to raise him as best they could, but, even as a child, they couldn’t control him.  He would just go berserk.  As a young man, he gave himself over to the powers of darkness and satan took control of his life.  He said later, “One thing I found out about the devil is that when you serve him and he uses you, when he’s done with you, he throws you away.  You mean nothing to him.”  At his trial, David pled guilty and was given consecutive sentences totaling 300 years.

His first ten years in prison was a succession of suicidal thoughts and depression.  He tried to hang himself, but that didn’t work, he spent time in a psychiatric hospital and other mental health units, but the depression and suicidal thoughts continued.  Another prisoner tried to cut his throat and he came within an inch of his life.  He was constantly in trouble, but God had a hand in his life.

One night while walking in the prison yard, another inmate introduced himself.  He said, “I know you’re David Berkowitz and I have something to tell you.  I want you to know that Jesus Christ loves you, and he’s got a plan and a purpose for your life.”  David replied, “I don’t want to hear that, because, I’ve done too many evil things and there’s no forgiveness for me.  Maybe there’s a God out there someplace, but I don’t think he has any interest in me.”  His friend replied, “No you’re wrong, David.  God has sent me here to this prison to tell you that he loves you and he can forgive you.  I want to be your friend.”  So, they would meet in the yard and walk around together.  A few weeks later, he gave him a Gideon New Testament and said, “David, I know you’re Jewish, so maybe you should read in the Psalms.”  David read, and as he did, something happened, his heart began to get soft and he would cry. One night in his prison cell, God spoke to his heart as he read from Psalm 34:6. “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”  Then verse 8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”  In the darkness of the cell, he got on his knees and poured out his heart to the Lord.  He told the Lord he was a vile, wicked person and had ruined many lives, but please have mercy on him.  He slept that night like a baby!

The next day, David saw his friend and told him he had prayed and asked Jesus to come into his heart and life and forgive him.  His friend started shouting, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!  This means you are born again, you’re saved now.  When you invite Jesus into your life, He forgives you of all your sins and makes you a new person!”

A new life of love for others and praise to God began for David and he never looked back.  His days were filled with helping other inmates find the peace and joy that he experienced.  He was known as the “Son of Hope,” and spent the remainder of his life growing in his faith, ministering to others inside and outside the prison walls.  Through David, the light of the gospel shined out in that dark prison and brought hope to many.

David never got out of prison.  He never sought freedom from the parole board or attended meetings that could have set him free.  He said, “Jesus has already freed my heart, soul and mind and has forgiven me.”  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!”  David died in prison in 2018.  He was 66 years old.

Your Sister in Christ, Jean