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LED TO FORGIVE
David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord."
Nathan said to David, "Now the Lord has put away your sin; you
shall not die."
I have struggled with this
scripture. This passage is about forgiveness, something that is
impossible without God's help.
The biblical story is about King David arranging Bathsheba's
husband's death so that David could have Bathsheba all to
himself. When confronted with his misdeeds, David knew he
deserved to die. God nevertheless was able to forgive David
because of his unending love for David.
This past fall, The Wichita Eagle ran a series of articles on
Father Emil Kapaun and his actions as a chaplain during the
Korean War. Soldiers who were in captivity with him spoke about
Father Kapaun's ability to forgive his captors for their
inhumane treatment. Clearly, the Holy Spirit was at work through
Father Kapaun.
On Pentecost Sunday last spring, a friend and fellow
parishioner, George Tiller, was gunned down inside our church
while serving as an usher. Many, including me, continue to
struggle with this senseless murder that took place in God's
house.
We are reminded that God so loved us that he sent Jesus into the
world to die for the sins of all of us. God is willing to
forgive our sins because he loves us so very much. With God's
help, may we be able to forgive those who sin and do harm
against us.
Lord, may we be changed
by your love so that we can forgive others.
Amen.
Larry D. Ehrlich
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