Learning how to forgive | The Old Path (My Review)

Learning how to forgive | The Old Path

Bible readings: Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 5:7, Ecclesiastes 7:20

This topic brings to my remembrance regarding a certain story of a Reverend and one of his altar boys. The altar boy often stayed with the Reverend in his home and passes the night over there. One day, the Lord Jesus appeared to the boy and began to engage in conversations with the boy.

Another day the same thing happened. And this was how it kept on happening for days. Meanwhile the Reverend was not aware of this. Jesus appeared strictly to the boy and not the Reverend. One day, when Jesus appeared to the boy, the boy asked of Jesus if he could tell the Reverend what had been going on, and Jesus agreed to it.

When the boy finally told the Reverend, the Reverend rebuked the boy in disbelief. He doubted the words that came out of the mouth of the boy. The boy tried everything he could to make the Reverend believe. Then the Reverend gave the boy a condition under which he will believe.

He told the boy that if truly Jesus appeared to him, then the next time he does the boy should ask Him what was the last sin that the Reverend committed. And the boy accepted. The next time Jesus appeared to the boy, He asked him of he had told the Reverend about what had been happening and the boy replied in affirmative.

He then told Jesus that He needed to answer one question before the Reverend could believe his claim and Jesus agreed to be asked the question. The boy then asked Jesus, "what was the last sin the Reverend committed?" On hearing this question, Jesus began to pace around the room, thinking deeply on the question the boy had asked.

For about an hour, Jesus hadn't still given the boy a reply. He was still thinking, trying to remember what the sin of the Reverend. The boy was confused how Jesus was unable to come up with the answer to that simple question. After Jesus tried his best to remember, he finally gave up and turned to the boy and said he couldn't remember.

The boy, being disappointed and thinking of what to tell the Reverend, turned his back to leave the room. But then he turned back at Jesus and asked Him why he couldn't remember. And then Jesus replied the boy, "Whenever I forgive, I forget."

This should be our attitude whenever we get offended by anyone. We should learn to forgive. And not just forgiving, we should also forget whatever the person had done to us. That's the same way God treats us when we offend Him. He expects us to also do the same to one another.