The book “Songs of the Deliverer” tells the story of Christ re-imagined in modern day. The book is a work of fiction but the stories and characters are based on the New Testament. These Reflections are written to highlight the Biblical pericopes featured in the second book of the series, Faith Wins, to be published in 2016.
Referenced in Chapter 11
What’s the worst thing you’ve done?
Can it be forgiven?
A man was skilled at his profession and most zealous in his work. This man was so ardent in his application of the laws of his society that he would chase lawbreakers to the ends of the world to punish them for their violations. He tormented people just because of their religious beliefs. He persecuted them to the point of death. And yet he was forgiven by the man whose death he caused:
“While the members of the Sanhedrin were throwing stones at Stephen, he prayed. ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,’ he said. Then he fell on his knees. He cried out, ‘Lord! Don’t hold this sin against them!’ When he had said this, he died. And Saul had agreed with the Sanhedrin that Stephen should die.” (Acts of the Apostles 7:59 – 60, 8:1)
Stephen prayed to God to not hold his death against his persecutors including the man named Saul, the most zealous persecutor of Christians.
One day, Saul was pursuing more followers of Jesus to imprison them. He tells what happened on the road to Damascus:
“About noon, I was on the road. I saw a light coming from heaven. It was brighter than the sun. It was shining around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground. I heard a voice speak to me in the Aramaic language. ‘Saul! Saul!’ it said. ‘Why are you opposing me? It is hard for you to go against what you know is right.’ Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus. I am the one you are opposing. Now get up. Stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve me. And you must tell other people about me. You must tell others that you have seen me today.’” (Acts 26:13 – 16)
Saul couldn’t believe that he was to be the emissary for Christ on earth. He was so undeserving. He told Jesus how unworthy he was:
“Lord, I went from one synagogue to another and put believers in prison. I also beat them. Stephen was a man who told other people about you. I stood there when he was killed. I had agreed that he should die. I even guarded the coats of those who were killing him.” (Acts 22:19 – 20)
Still, Jesus forgave Saul and told him to go across the world instructing people in the ways of Christ. And through the revelation of Jesus Christ, Saul was converted to faith. The man who had oppressed Christians for their beliefs changed his name to Paul and spent the rest of his life making disciples, just as Jesus commanded him:
“I am sending you to them to open their eyes. I want you to turn them from darkness to light. I want you to turn them from Satan’s power to God. I want their sins to be forgiven. They will be forgiven when they believe in me. They will have their place among God’s people.” (Acts 26:18)
Paul persecuted Christians to their death. And yet he was forgiven. Forgiven by Stephen and forgiven by Jesus Christ. Thus liberated, he went on to become the great evangelist of early Christianity. We are Christians today because of St. Paul’s commitment to Jesus to go and make disciples of all people.
What’s the worst thing you’ve done?
Follow Christ. You are forgiven.
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