Watergate
The Watergate scandal was a major U.S. political crisis that ultimately forced President Richard Nixon to resign. It involved illegal activities by Nixon’s administration, including political espionage, sabotage, and a subsequent cover-up. Five burglars were arrested in June 1972 after breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. As investigations continued, they revealed a broader pattern of “dirty tricks”, secret funds, obstruction of justice, and abuse of presidential power.
One of the men involved was Charles “Chuck” Colson. He served as Special Counsel to President Nixon from 1969 to 1973 and became known as Nixon’s political “hatchet man”. Multiple sources describe him as the reputed mastermind behind the campaign of political dirty tricks that contributed to Watergate.
But justice eventually caught up with Colson. He pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction of justice and was sentenced to prison for crimes committed under the banner of “national security”. But following his conviction, Colson became a Christian. When speaking about what had changed, this is what he said:
“I know that the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world – and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
Colson had come to realise that the death and resurrection of Jesus were real events in history, testified to by men who had witnessed them. These events had made such a powerful impression on them that they were willing to suffer dreadfully rather than to deny what they knew to be the truth.
Jesus Christ came into this world, so that we do not have to pay the penalty that our sins deserve. We are told in the Bible that he took on human nature, he became like on of us. But there was one important difference. He was without sin. And because of that, when he died on the cross, he took the punishment for the sins of his people. We can be sure of this because he rose again from the dead. When God raised him from the dead, he showed that justice had been satisfied, the price had been paid. For those who are trusting in him, their sins have been forgiven, and they do not need to fear death. Are you one of them?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John Chapter 3 verse 16, NIV translation)
If you would like to find out more, then you would be very welcome at any of our Church services. Alternatively you can listen to or watch previous sermons, or you can contact us for more information.
Previous Messages