It is not often that I am brought to tears by an e-mail, but it happened today. When I last led a group to the Holy Land, we were privileged to be able to visit a group of believers in Jesus who are doing amazing things. I receive regular e-mail updates concerning their work. They are a wonderful example of how barriers can be broken down through a shared faith in Jesus Christ. Jewish and Arab believers worshipping together, demonstrating love for each other and for their local community. They are involved in some effective ministry with people in real need, and are blessed by witnessing God changing people’s lives in a wonderful way.
One such person was a young Jewish man. He is a former drug addict whose life was transformed when he met Jesus. He is now married to a German lady. They are involved in a number of areas of ministry. The e-mail I received this morning mentioned a movement in which they are involved called “Yad b’Yad” (“Hand in Hand”). The e-mail stated:
Every summer, Israeli Messianic [i.e. Jewish people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah] teenagers meet and bond with German teenage believers, with oversight by Jewish and German pastors. The ministry culminates with Jewish and German teenagers, holding hands two-by-two, walking through Auschwitz together. Tears of shame and unforgiveness are replaced by love, joy, acceptance and lifelong friendships.
How amazing! As I read those words, and imagined the sight, tears began welling up in my eyes. Forgiveness and reconciliation is such a wonderful thing - if only we human beings could learn to forgive! Desmond Tutu once said, “If you can find it in yourself to forgive then you are no longer chained to the perpetrator. You can move on, and you can even help the perpetrator to become a better person too.”
If we harbour unforgiveness in our hearts, the only person we really hurt is ourselves. The chains of unforgiveness hold us captive. When we forgive, we set ourselves free!
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