HIS

There is a story that comes out of the Bedouin culture. "Bedouin" is the Aramaic name for "desert dwellers." These people live much as the characters of the Old Testament did. During a heated argument, according to this story, a young Bedouin struck and killed a friend of his. Knowing the ancient, inflexible customs of his people, the young man fled, running across the desert under the cover of darkness, seeking safety.
     He went to the black tent of the tribal chief in order to seek his protection. The old chief took the young Arab in. The chief assured him that he would be safe until the matter could be settled legally.
     The next day, the young man's pursuers arrived, demanding the murderer be turned over to them. They would see that justice would prevail in their own way. "But I have given my word," protested the chief.  "But you don't know whom he killed!" they countered.  "I have given my word," the chief repeated.
     "He killed your son!" one of them blurted out. The chief was deeply and visibly shaken with his news. He stood speechless with his head bowed for a long time. The accused and the accusers as well as curious onlookers waited breathlessly. What would happen to the young man? Finally the old man raised his head. "Then he shall become my son," he informed them, "and everything I have will one day be his."

A pearl to string:  What if you were the one that killed that day?  There are many words that can take the place of the word kill: my bad, faux pas, rash behavior, messed up, made a regrettable mistake, sinned, all meaning the same thing that you fell short of the glory of God. None of us is perfect but do we deserve that kind of forgiveness that we should be made sons/daughters of the King?  Whew, it's a good thing I'm not running the world. My answer would be no. I am blessed with compassion but honestly...... you mess with my babies and your tail feathers are in deep doo-doo. The young man certainly didn't deserve such generosity. And that, of course, is the point. Love in its purest form is beyond comprehension. No one can merit it. It is freely given. It is agape, the love of God. Look to the cross. At the cross we encounter love in its purest form.  Thank you Lord, you don't leave it up to me.... you died for my sins and those who sin against me.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

 

In His arms we too can forgive,

We are so loved,
                     Lyndi