My dad's killer got out

The Debt




My dear friend Joelma, came over to see me at my sister’s house when I was visiting Brazil couple of weeks ago. Joelma is a very dear friend to me, she is a member of the church like me and she wants to introduce me her new boyfriend, Mauro.


We all sat down, and she looked at me and said “Cris, I am very disappointed today”. I asked her why was she so sad and she said “ It’s because the killer of my Father is getting out prison today. And I can‘t believe Heavenly Father is letting him get out of prison after only two months! That‘s so unfair. I want him to die! So he can pay for what he had done to my dad”. So looking at her I tried to explain that was not worth to stay angry, it would only make her miserable, and that’s why Jesus Christ died for all of us. She looked kind surprise after what I had just said, but I told her she has to let go what happen and that she must forgive. Joelma asked me “how can that be done? He did something horrible and I want him to die!” Than came to my mind the story of Elder Paker about the boy who owned a lot money to a lender. So I asked Joelma, just imagine, that every sin that this man has committed against you and your father had turned into money. Let’s say that the total is a $1.000.00.00.00, and he cannot afford to pay you the total amount. And this man comes to you and says “Joelma, I only have a dime to give, because there’s no way I can pay you the amount I owned”. However, you Joelma, you want the full price to be paid and you know you can not afford to let go of his debt, because of your immense lost. But just imagine this for a moment… you are furious, and you want his debt to be pay immediately, you want justice! And than, comes Jesus, with a sac full of money, with the exact amount that needs to be paid for, and he offers it to you with one condition “Here is the money for this man’s debit. Now my daughter, only one thing I asked of you, whatever this man has owned, he wont own you anymore, now whatever blame or demand that you may hold against this man, you may ask of me now, because his debt is now paid. And now, me being his debtor, he will have to deal with me for anything that may own against any of my children. If you would like to accuse him, accuse me.” Joelma, with tears in her eyes asked me “how can I accuse him Cris? Jesus has not done anything to offend me.” I look at her and said “that’s the reason why he died for all of us.” That’s what forgiveness it’s all about. It does not mean that you have to accept the wrong that has been done, but it means to let Jesus Christ’ sacrifice work into heart… to let the healing begin. Then she said “but what if I am not ready to accept his offer?” I told her that Jesus Chris will never force anyone to accept anything, that’s why He whiling volunteer to give his own life in offer as a sacrifice to redeem man kind from their sins.


And for those who are ready to accept, He’s there ready to give you the “money” to pay for your debit. As much as He will step in and pay for someone offenses against us, so will He pay for us to somebody who we have offended.


In The name of Jesus Christ,


Amen.