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A retired pastor tells of an experience when he was just starting out in ministry. He was a student pastor serving a rural farming community. Most of the families lived near the church and attended services. In the church there was a strong feeling of goodwill among the members.
There was one man who did not speak to any of the other members but kept to himself. The pastor discovered that relationships had been broken when he accused the other farmers of impropriety. The man was a disgruntled, middle-aged man who was lonely and unhappy.
The man became ill and was hospitalized. Suddenly he lapsed into a coma and was no longer able to receive visitors. The doctor gave him little hope for recovery and told the family to expect the worst. Then unexpectedly he showed signs of recovery. He sent word to the men he had wronged, requesting them to come to the hospital to see him. He wanted to ask their forgiveness.
One by one the men came to see him. Old hurts that had festered for years were dealt with. Words of forgiveness were spoken and received. As a result new relationships were established. The man recovered and was able to return to church. He was a new person. The congregation experienced the power of forgiveness as they embraced the man.
The prophet Isaiah tells a parable of sorts about a landowner planting a vineyard. While a crop of grapes was expected wild grapes grew in its place much to the dismay of the vineyard owner. In telling the story Isaiah wanted the people to reflect on their own lives and see for themselves where they have strayed away from God. God "expected justice" but instead saw bloodshed -- God wanted for the people to show righteous, but instead heard cries of despair.
There was one man who did not speak to any of the other members but kept to himself. The pastor discovered that relationships had been broken when he accused the other farmers of impropriety. The man was a disgruntled, middle-aged man who was lonely and unhappy.
The man became ill and was hospitalized. Suddenly he lapsed into a coma and was no longer able to receive visitors. The doctor gave him little hope for recovery and told the family to expect the worst. Then unexpectedly he showed signs of recovery. He sent word to the men he had wronged, requesting them to come to the hospital to see him. He wanted to ask their forgiveness.
One by one the men came to see him. Old hurts that had festered for years were dealt with. Words of forgiveness were spoken and received. As a result new relationships were established. The man recovered and was able to return to church. He was a new person. The congregation experienced the power of forgiveness as they embraced the man.
The prophet Isaiah tells a parable of sorts about a landowner planting a vineyard. While a crop of grapes was expected wild grapes grew in its place much to the dismay of the vineyard owner. In telling the story Isaiah wanted the people to reflect on their own lives and see for themselves where they have strayed away from God. God "expected justice" but instead saw bloodshed -- God wanted for the people to show righteous, but instead heard cries of despair.
