Friday, January 10, 2020

A HEALING GESTURE

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”  (Matthew 6:14 NIV)

(Editor’s note: Dutch Christian Corrie Ten Boom was a prisoner in the horrific Ravensbruck concentration camp in the Second World War.   Her sister Betsie died in the camp.  One day in 1947 Corrie was speaking at a church in Germany.  At the end of the service she saw someone coming towards her she recognized.)

The place was Ravensbruck, and the man who was making his way forward had been a guard -- one of the most cruel guards…"Since that time" he went on, "I have become a Christian.  I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well.  Fraulein, will you forgive me?"

It could not have been many seconds that he stood there -- hand held out -- but it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I ever had to do.  For I had to do it -- I knew that…"Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently.  "I can lift my hand.  I can do that much.  You supply the feeling."

And so, woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me.  As I did, an incredible thing took place.  The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands, and then this healing warmth seemed to flood into my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.  "I forgive you, brother!" I cried.  "With all my heart!"

-- Corrie Ten Boom in “Tramp for the Lord”


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