October 3, 2026
Saturday, October 3
Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who was arrested, along with her sister, for hiding Jews from the Nazis. Both were sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Corrie survived, but her sister Betsie died in the camp. Two years after the war, Corrie came back to Holland and preached a message of forgiveness to the people there, who, like her, had much to forgive. Corrie reminded them that when we come to God, He casts all our sins into the deepest ocean, where they sink forever. Therefore, we too should forgive.
Afterward, a man approached her. He looked like a typical middle-aged man, heavyset and balding. But she immediately recognized him. In her mind, his overcoat was replaced with a dark SS Uniform, and his head was topped with the skull and crossbones cap. She remembered how he had leered at women like her and Betsie as they walked unclothed into the showers. She felt pure hatred for him. But he, apparently not recognizing her, stuck out his hand and said, “A fine message, fräulein! How good it is to know that, as you say, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!” The thought of returning his handshake was repugnant, so she pretended to look for something in her purse. But he continued: “I was a guard at Ravensbruck. But since then, I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fräulein”–again the hand came out–“will you forgive me?”
The world would say that forgiveness in such a case is abhorrent, a crime. Someone like her should never forgive such evil. But Corrie knew that Jesus had brought her into His family. Reconciling her with God wasn’t possible simply by excusing her sin. He couldn’t simply do nothing; the sin was far too great. It took a great sacrifice, something Jesus didn’t want to do, but did. When Jesus died on the cross, He absorbed the full cost of her sin…and mine, and yours, and that guard’s. And now, He looks on us as a loving Father, saying, “I so want my children to love each other!” Nothing makes Him happier than when we treat each other well. And nothing breaks His heart like when we refuse to get along. Jesus even said, hours before His arrest and crucifixion, that the world would know we belong to Him when they see how we love each other (John 17). Corrie knew what she had to do. In her words:
“And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. ‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart!’ For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely as I did then.”
Don’t wait for the other person to come to you. Obey, and your heart will change. Reconciliation takes two, so if you try and they reject you, God knows. He understands, and does not hold you accountable for their stubbornness. But if you succeed…oh the joy you will experience.
I found a song that I’d never heard before, but which sums up the heart of this week’s devotions perfectly: Come to Jesus (Reconciliation Hymn). Make this your prayer.
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
