In a story published Tuesday titled “A Trail Runner Was Charged After Taking a Shortcut in a National Park. Now, He’s Been Pardoned by Trump,” it was reported that President Trump pardoned Michelino Sunseri on Monday, ending a year-long criminal trial after the ultrarunner was charged for briefly using a prohibited trail during his speed record attempt in Grand Teton National Park.
In September 2024, the 33-year-old professional trail runner, who is sponsored by The North Face, ran up and down Grand Teton (13,775 feet), the tallest peak in the Teton Range of western Wyoming, in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 10 seconds. On the descent, Sunseri cut a switchback to avoid casual hikers on a path that was marked closed for revegetation.
A few days after he set the fastest known time (FKT) on the trail, the National Park Service issued Sunseri a citation for shortcutting on federal trails—federal regulations meant to protect natural resources—a charge punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The situation escalated with heated debates and implications that extended far beyond trail running. In September, a Wyoming judge found Sunseri guilty of a misdemeanor.
On Monday, Sunseri shared the news of the pardon on his social media accounts, writing, “IT’S FINALLY OVER.”
Wow right? Can you just imagine Sunseri’s relief? After all, the punishment certainly didn’t seem to fit the crime. But, without the intervention of someone with both the ability and the authority to forgive him of the offense and release him from the legal ramifications of the wrongdoing, Michelino would have had to face the deemed punishment for his crime.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Thankfully, as believers, we also have Someone who has both the ability and the authority to forgive our offenses—something we should be eternally grateful for, since the punishment or "wages of sin is death." That’s a hefty sentence! And that’s what makes the pardon all the more precious.
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1
And, unlike Sunseri who had to pay a lawyer to fight on his behalf, Jesus freely gave His life for us so we could "have an Advocate with the Father..." That means Jesus (who is our Lawyer) bridged the gap between our sins and the punishment those sins deserved. When we chose to make Him our Savior, Jesus fought on our behalf by taking on the duly earned penalty of our offenses and in return gave us the "gift of God" which "is eternal life..." Is that amazing or what?
Furthermore, in contrast to the crimes of the world that are rated as misdemeanors or felonies and then further rated by classes with each charge having it's own punishment, even the smallest sin before God warrants death. Which makes it even more amazing that God not only pardons our sins but "abundantly" pardons them.
Think about that for a moment! An earthly judge might pardon a person once but would never pardon a person who sinned over and over and over again like we do, especially if it was the same transgression or a crime considered heinous, gruesome or unforgiveable. But God... He gives us the promise that all those who seek Him will find Him. And that those who completely turn from their evil ways—who refuse to be conformed to the patterns of this world by renewing their minds daily—and turn back to Him will be granted mercy. Only the Righteous Judge has the compassion, power, and authority to do that!
So, "seek the Lord while He may be found" my friend. The Bible is clear that the offer of forgiveness will not be open forever and that all those who die in their sins (those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior) will not inherit eternal life but will instead "go away into everlasting punishment." "Call upon Him while He is near” that you might be pardoned.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that without the Advocate, we would all be rightly punished for our sins and spend eternity in hell. Thank You for the gift of Salvation and for being a God who "abundantly pardons." Lord, if there's someone reading this today that is saying, "What I've done is so bad that God wouldn't forgive me," I pray that they would look to the pages of the Bible to see that You forgave the murderer, the adulterer, the drunkard, the liar, the thief, the prostitute, and all those who thought they were too far gone to experience your great love and mercy. Compel them to turn away from their sin and to turn to You Lord that they might be granted a pardon and start their life fresh. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'" Matthew 25:46
So, "seek the Lord while He may be found" my friend. The Bible is clear that the offer of forgiveness will not be open forever and that all those who die in their sins (those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior) will not inherit eternal life but will instead "go away into everlasting punishment." "Call upon Him while He is near” that you might be pardoned.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that without the Advocate, we would all be rightly punished for our sins and spend eternity in hell. Thank You for the gift of Salvation and for being a God who "abundantly pardons." Lord, if there's someone reading this today that is saying, "What I've done is so bad that God wouldn't forgive me," I pray that they would look to the pages of the Bible to see that You forgave the murderer, the adulterer, the drunkard, the liar, the thief, the prostitute, and all those who thought they were too far gone to experience your great love and mercy. Compel them to turn away from their sin and to turn to You Lord that they might be granted a pardon and start their life fresh. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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