By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

On 5 November 2003, the High Court in Seattle was packed. Family members and friends of the 48 murdered women came to give messages to the 54-year-old Gary Leon Ridgway (also known as the Green River killer) before the judge would send him to life imprisonment without the option of parole.

Ridgway’s murders made him the biggest serial killer in American history. To avoid a hearing and possible death penalty, he signed an agreement with the state to provide more information to the police about the victims. 

The speeches in the courtroom were filled with anger, scorn and hatred towards Ridgway. He sat listening with a stark, emotionless face. It was when the elderly father of one of the victims, Richard Rule, with his long white beard, stepped up to the podium that the unthinkable happened. He started speaking in a deep voice: “Mister Ridgway, there are people in this room who hate you. . . I'm not one of them. You have made it very difficult for me to live out what I believe and what God requires of me - to forgive you. But today I say to you, ‘I forgive you. . . '” This act of grace caused tears to suddenly stream down the serial killer’s face.  And then he sobbed. Instead of bitterness and hatred, he experienced a moment of grace. Undeserved grace.

Do you realize that we too were heading for death, but 2000 years ago, Jesus bestowed undeserved grace upon us when He died on the cross?

Is there someone in your life (alive or dead) who hurt you so terribly that you find it hard to even imagine that you would be able to forgive him or her? Maybe the biggest reason why you don’t want to forgive, is because you feel your forgiveness would free that person, while you still have to endure the pain of their hurting? This is what the enemy wants us to believe. He will do anything to prevent the act or thought of forgiveness; he knows that an unforgiving heart leads to bitterness and hatred, causing a barrier in our relationship with God.

Forgiveness is very important to God, but especially to people. In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus said, “If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also. If you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Our forgiveness towards others indicates to God that we are placing Him in control of our lives. We must be mindful that He is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11) who in His time and way poses judgment. When we forgive, it not only sets us free, but also restores our relationship with God as the barrier has been removed.

Remember, Jesus bestowed grace upon us. Now we can have eternal life. Let us give God a chance to strengthen each of us by His Holy Spirit to also be able to forgive. We might be surprised at the restoration it brings in our relationship with Him. God bless.

Father God, thank You for your forgivenessfor my sins through Jesus’ death on the cross. Please help me to also show the same graceto others and to be able to forgive. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• Check out a short video clip of the court case at www.benescke.co.za or social networking page, FBook, Stories van Hoop.
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