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Resource - Meditations
November 1999
MEDITATION
A Parable on Repentance and Forgiveness.
Rev. Albert Eselbrugge
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
(Gal.6:7,8)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ God forgave you. (Eph.4:32)
Three friends, mates is how we would describe them, were in police
custody. Each had been given a cell and had many hours to consider the
error of their ways and what the future held for them. Each knew they
were in serious trouble and would face the stern judge of the city. Each
knew that the reputation of the judge was one of strict obedience to the
law, but that he was also a man of compassion and fairness.
In the first cell lay the leader of the three. Hands behind his head,
feet propped up on the wall. Anyone looking in would have concluded,
here was someone without a care in the world. This of course was almost
true. The young fellow was full of bravado and “coolness”. No one would
ever be permitted to see his true self. Besides, he was being unfairly
treated. The authorities had no right to hold him in this manner. Of
course a large group of people had been negatively affected by what had
happened, but it was an accident, and those people only had to be shown
how to look at it from his perspective. They were the ones with the
problem. You cant’ hold people to account for accidents! The judge would
see that, and set things right.
From the second cell a mumbling could be heard. On the cot of this cell
sat a boy, reasoning his position aloud to himself. It was a tragic
reflection, and yet there was something warming about what the lad was
saying. He began his reflection much like the first boy. At first denial
was written all over him and the tone of his voice. This couldn’t
possibly be happening. However, a visible change soon took place. His
shoulders fell, and a tear formed in his eyes. This was happening. He
couldn’t escape. He had been wrong. His friends had urged and
participated and even led. It had all started out on a dare and
developed into something where the thrill and excitement of it all took
control. Any thoughts that intruded into their minds that this was wrong
were pushed aside and suppressed because of the thrill of it all, but
now the realisation of what they had done was starting to sink in.
Others had been hurt and very badly affected by his actions. He had
broken the law, and as he realised his terrible error, with tears now
flowing freely, an over-powering urgency grew in him to confess his
wrong. It was a genuine repentance that came from deep in his heart. Yet
the desire to come out of this tragedy cleanly never fully left him. He
began to remember the judge was a compassionate man, known to be moved
by
genuine displays of repentance, and a man who was known to grant
forgiveness in such instances. Surely everything would be restored to
what it was, before he had committed the evil. Such, he thought, is the
result of forgiveness.
Anyone reviewing the surveillance video of the third cell would see a
very similar scene to the lad in the previous cell. The development from
denial to repentance had been much the same, only slower. However, where
the lad in the second cell was very anxious and nervous to restore
things to what they were before, this third fellow sat calmly on his
cot, he was clearly experiencing great inner pain and his eyes were red
from tears, but he realised that things could never return to what they
were. The consequences of his actions and those of his friends had
permanently and badly affected too many too deeply. He prayed the judge
would recognise his contrition and grant him forgiveness. He realised
that even if legally forgiven it would take considerable time before
everyone affected would be able to put that forgiveness into practice.
However, he also knew he had no choice but to live with the consequences
of his actions, and that those consequences would live with him, his two
friends, and all affected, until each completed their time on earth.
This last man came to live at peace with himself and his neighbours.
Forgiveness is granted and is not to be expected, or demanded
Forgiveness is a blessing Ps.32:1
Forgiveness is covering and concealing sin by the forgiver Ps.85:2;
Prov.17:9
Forgiveness is a removal of anger Ps.85:1-3
Forgiveness is a mutual activity, following the example of the Lord
Jesus and our heavenly Father, and a requirement of God’s people
Matt.18:21-25; 6:14,15
Even where forgiveness is fully and freely granted, the consequences of
the sin remains.
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