Sermon Central
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The Lesson Of Grace
Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 23, 2023 (message contributor)
The Lesson of Grace
In a serene, sunlit park nestled within a bustling city, an old man sat on a weathered bench, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. His wrinkled face bore the marks of wisdom, and his eyes held stories of countless yesterdays. Passersby often found themselves drawn to his calm presence, seeking a moment of solace and perhaps a nugget of his boundless wisdom.
One bright afternoon, a young man, filled with curiosity, approached the old man and hesitantly asked, "Sir, do you remember me?" The old man peered at the young stranger with a gentle smile and replied, "No, my dear friend, I'm afraid I do not. How could I forget someone as young and vibrant as yourself?"
The young man nodded and then revealed the reason for his inquiry. "You see, sir, you were once my teacher."
Intrigued, the old man leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Ah, I have had the privilege of being a teacher to many bright souls over the years. But please, do tell me more."
The young man began to recount a tale from their shared past. "One day, sir, when I was your student, a friend of mine came to school wearing a brand new watch. I was overcome with jealousy and desire, and I decided to steal it. I took it from his pocket when he wasn't looking."
The old man listened attentively, his memory gradually stirring.
"Shortly after, my friend realized his watch was missing and complained to you, our teacher, who, as you know, was you," continued the young man. "You addressed the entire class, urging the thief to return the stolen watch, but I remained silent. You decided to take action, and you asked us all to stand in a circle with our eyes closed. You said you would only search for the watch if all of us kept our eyes shut."
A faint glimmer of recognition flickered in the old man's eyes as he remembered the incident.
The young man's voice trembled with emotion as he went on. "You searched each of our pockets, including mine, and found the watch in my possession. You never once revealed the identity of the thief. That day, you saved my dignity, sir. It was the most shameful day of my life. You never scolded me, nor did you take me aside for a moral lesson."
Tears welled up in the young man's eyes as he concluded his story. "Your silence and your grace spoke volumes, and I received your message loud and clear. Professor, do you remember that episode?"
The old professor's eyes twinkled with a blend of nostalgia and wisdom. He nodded slowly and said, "Yes, my dear. I remember that situation with the stolen watch. I was indeed searching for it in everyone's pocket. But you know, I didn't remember you because, in that moment, I, too, closed my eyes to teach a valuable lesson. And today, you've reminded me of the enduring power of grace and the profound impact it can have on a young heart."
As the two generations of students and teachers shared a heartfelt moment of understanding, the park around them seemed to glow with the wisdom of the ages, reminding all who passed by that sometimes, the most profound lessons are learned in the silence of grace.
Biblical References:
1. "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." - James 3:17
2. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
3. "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." - Colossians 4:6
4. "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13
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