And everyone who lives on the earth will worship him [the beast], everyone whose name was not written in the book of life of the Lamb slaughtered from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8.
The picture never ceases to amaze me. The Lamb, so innocent and trusting, dies for the very ones who slaughter Him. He gives His life for the very ones who are taking His life. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34, NIV). A similar scenario played out again recently.
During the night of December 22, 2003, an intruder broke into the home of Ruimar DePaiva, a pastor in the island nation of Palau. The robber was intent on theft, but as members of he family got up, the man attacked them until they were all dead except 10-year-old Melissa. After abusing Melissa for 20 hours, he released her, and she told the story to the police. The authorities soon had him captured and put in prison. His deed stunned the whole nation, and the government ordered the country's flags lowered everywhere. A state funeral was held, hosted by the high chief of the island where the crime took place.
At the funeral Ruimar DePaiva's mother took the microphone without warning. She had already visited the prison holding the murderer, Justin Hirosi. Praying with the man who killed her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, she assured him of her forgiveness. Then learning that Justin's mother was at the service, she asked Mrs. Hirosi to join her at the microphone. After hugging Mrs. Hirosi like a long-lost friend, she announced to the crowd that they were "both mothers grieving for lost sons."
Then she implored the community to remove any shroud of blame that they might place on Justin's mother or his family. She declared that parents raise their children and try to teach them right from wrong, but in the end they have their own minds.
The funeral reached another level of shock when the high chief announced that Justin's family, though of meager means, had sold many of their belongings and now desired to deliver $10,000 in cash to the surviving Melissa for her college education. But the greatest moment of all was yet to come.
When asked where she would like to live, Melissa said, "I'd like to stay here in Palau."
Her grandmother explained to her that that would not be possible. "OK," the girl replied. "But I'll be back someday. I'll come back as a missionary!"
Lord, help me to learn the full meaning of Your forgiveness so I can forgive others the way You have forgiven me.
The picture never ceases to amaze me. The Lamb, so innocent and trusting, dies for the very ones who slaughter Him. He gives His life for the very ones who are taking His life. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34, NIV). A similar scenario played out again recently.
During the night of December 22, 2003, an intruder broke into the home of Ruimar DePaiva, a pastor in the island nation of Palau. The robber was intent on theft, but as members of he family got up, the man attacked them until they were all dead except 10-year-old Melissa. After abusing Melissa for 20 hours, he released her, and she told the story to the police. The authorities soon had him captured and put in prison. His deed stunned the whole nation, and the government ordered the country's flags lowered everywhere. A state funeral was held, hosted by the high chief of the island where the crime took place.
At the funeral Ruimar DePaiva's mother took the microphone without warning. She had already visited the prison holding the murderer, Justin Hirosi. Praying with the man who killed her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, she assured him of her forgiveness. Then learning that Justin's mother was at the service, she asked Mrs. Hirosi to join her at the microphone. After hugging Mrs. Hirosi like a long-lost friend, she announced to the crowd that they were "both mothers grieving for lost sons."
Then she implored the community to remove any shroud of blame that they might place on Justin's mother or his family. She declared that parents raise their children and try to teach them right from wrong, but in the end they have their own minds.
The funeral reached another level of shock when the high chief announced that Justin's family, though of meager means, had sold many of their belongings and now desired to deliver $10,000 in cash to the surviving Melissa for her college education. But the greatest moment of all was yet to come.
When asked where she would like to live, Melissa said, "I'd like to stay here in Palau."
Her grandmother explained to her that that would not be possible. "OK," the girl replied. "But I'll be back someday. I'll come back as a missionary!"
Lord, help me to learn the full meaning of Your forgiveness so I can forgive others the way You have forgiven me.
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