The Meyer Minute for December 6, 2013

Nelson Mandela’s time in prison, 27 years in harsh confinement, reminds me of Joseph in the Bible, Genesis 37-50.  Mr. Mandela was imprisoned for guerilla activities that grew out of the injustice of apartheid, whereas Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and then falsely accused of attempted rape.  In jail, they had plenty of time to think and could have obsessed about revenge.  When they were released, both came into positions of power.  Mr. Mandela as President of South Africa and Joseph as the second most powerful man in Egypt, second only to the pharaoh.  Now each was in a position to take vengeance on their enemies but did not.  Mr. Mandela sought peace with his enemies and Joseph told his brothers, “Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:5)  Forgiveness doesn’t mean opening jails but forgiving others results in emotional and mental freedom from the people who have wronged you.  The One who earned our forgiveness teaches us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”