Christian Living

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Loving And Forgiving
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


While students at Saint Benedict Elementary School in Shawnee, Oklahoma, five boys decided they would have a little fun with a first year teacher. These boys shot spitballs across her room hitting her desk or board, stole pencils and pens from her desk; put a decaying dead rat in her waste paper basket; put scuff marks all over her highly polished floors; cut holes in her brand new hat. So three weeks before Christmas break was to begin, the teacher listed every one of these boys’ offenses on the classroom blackboard.

“Alright,” said the young teacher. “Despite what everyone may believe or think I know who did each of these acts. As disgusting as they are and an affront to me, I will pardon each of these offenses if the offenders come forward, confess and apologize for having done these acts. I will be in the classroom fifteen minutes before class begins tomorrow, during the lunch break period and after school. If the offenders come forward and confess, I will erase that offensive act from the board and it will be forgotten. That said, if by the end of the school day tomorrow, any offenses not settled with me will be noted taken to the Principal’s office whereby notes will be sent to the offenders’ parents. Suspensions from school with fines for the stolen, destroyed or broken items and property will be paid for by those who did these acts.”

When the end of the day of reckoning had arrived, the board was wiped clean of each and every offense. Each boy had realized and came to understand the damage they caused their teacher a problem, but also to the school and the other students who were in school to learn. From that day forward, the boys began to develop a positive relationship with that teacher as well as other teachers throughout their academic careers.

Like the young teacher, Jesus already knows every sin committed by each and every person. There is no hiding them. And just like the teacher, we are given every opportunity to reconcile each sin with Him no matter how severe they may be. It is hard for so many to believe that Jesus erases every offense once we have repented and asked His forgiveness. But Jesus promised and demonstrated reconciliation throughout His public life on earth. His promise is rock solid and reliable.

The Lenten season is a designated period of forty days designed to recall our offenses but is not limited to just these days. Anytime, day or night, will do. If you have difficulty accepting Jesus’ promise of complete and total forgiveness of every one of your sins, imagining Jesus as the Master Teacher that He is. Allow Him to write your sins on the blackboard of your mind’s eye. Then go down the list with Him and ask Jesus to forgive you for every sin. See Him erase one sin after another from the blackboard of your heart. Finally, give thanks and know that the when time comes for you to meet Him at the last moment you will be safe with Him forever!

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