Listen to the opening of Jeremiah 5. I want you to notice what it would take for God to pardon Jerusalem.

“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.”

What would it take for the whole city to receive a pardon? Just one righteous person.

It only takes one. How many times do we read things like “for the sake of David My servant” or “for the sake of My servant Abraham?” God will act on behalf of the one. He’s not weighing things in the balance; He cares about the one. He will act on behalf of the one.

God repeatedly wants to wipe out Israel. Moses intervenes. He throws Himself before God in prayer and intercedes. God relents. God only needs one.

How many revivals take place in Judah’s history because one leader stood up? Everyone is following the Baals and then a leader says, “No, we’re going to follow the one true God of Israel,” and suddenly all over people are smashing idols and turning to God. God just needs one.

Will you be the one willing to lay down their life for the sake of the whole? Will you intercede and stand in the gap? Will you be the one brave enough to stand up and speak out and say what’s obviously wrong but no one else is willing to say?

You could save their lives. You could save their eternal lives. Will you stand before God on their behalf and will you stand before men on God’s behalf?

The command God gives is to strip the branches from the vine. The vine won’t be destroyed. Christ is the vine. We’re the branches. Branches can be removed and burned if they don’t produce fruit. There is a real threat for the unrighteous. Sin separates from God. They will be separated.

BUT, but, God is ready to pardon. His desire is to show mercy. He’s actively looking for a just reason to pardon. Give God a way to get what He longs for. Be the one.