In the past few weeks I've been leading discussion classes on forgiveness during the Bible studies in Maximum and Medium A at Drakenstein Correctional Centre. We've been going through R T Kendall's book 40 Days to Total Forgiveness. It's informative, biblical and challenging, and recommended by men in both Maximum and Medium to whom I gave copies months ago after I'd first read it myself. One of them in Maximum said that he had been dwelling on thoughts of revenge and murder of those who'd put him inside (innocently, he says). He regularly attends our Tuesday Bible studies and last week said that it was only the book and the teaching he'd received on Tuesdays that have helped him to see that if he truly follows Jesus then he has to forgive.
Last Tuesday one of the regulars (I'll call him Jacques, which isn't his real name) in Medium had his own story to tell. He'd "graduated" from the class in Maximum and has been a follower of Jesus for about five years. Before that he'd been (by his own admittance) one of the worst types of gangster: you name it, he's done it. In prison he met Jesus and changed in character and appearance so much that even his own mother didn't recognise him when she came to visit.
When Jacques was outside he had often been shot but once was particularly bad and the hospital actually declared him to be dead (the visions he was given at that time are a story for another time). Since then he'd searched for the man who'd shot and "killed" him but hadn't been able to find him.
Then one day a man in the prison mentioned the shooter's name and asked if he was looking for him. The answer was yes. Then the other man revealed that he was the one who'd fired the gun.
By this time Jacques had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Even so, the news that he was standing in front of the man he'd sworn to kill was shocking. He felt physically affected and knew that he had a choice - should he fulfil his vow and kill the man or should he follow his Lord and forgive him?
Jacques told the other man he needed a little time. He went to sit in an office and wrestled with the decision he had to make. The old nature was fighting with the new, Christ-given man.
Jacques left the office, went up to the other man and told he was forgiven. There would be no repercussions. Jesus had forgiven Jacques so much and Jacques had made the decision to follow him, whatever the cost.
There could have been so much violence and bloodshed that day but instead there was peace and forgiveness. Jacques and the shooter became very close friends. Jacques became like a brother to him and met his family when they visited the prison.
Until the man was released, shot and killed by gangsters in his district.
Working in prison shows you how we're not messing about. We really are dealing in matters of life and death. "Safer" societies don't realise how important are the questions: "Who is Jesus?" and "What should be our response to him?"
We always think we have time.
