The Pastor and the Murderer

Richard Wurmbrand was a Romanian pastor who was imprisoned and tortured for his faith.  He lost both parents, several sisters, a brother, and children during the Nazi Holocaust. During those terrible days, he was introduced to a Romanian soldier who boasted how he had killed Jews—even those who held little children in their arms.

This man did not realize that Wurmbrand was a Jew.  During the soldier’s boasts of cruelty against Jews, Wurmbrand did not say a word. Instead, he invited the man to his home.

The soldier accepted the invitation. When they arrived, Wurmbrand explained that his wife was sick in bed. After conversing until late at night, the Romanian pastor said, “Sir, I have to tell you something. But promise me that you will listen to me ten minutes quietly. After ten minutes, you can say whatever you like.” The soldier readily agreed.

Richard Wurmbrand then said, “In the other room, my wife is sleeping. She is Jewish, and I am Jewish too. Her family, which is also my family, perished in one of the big Nazi concentration camps.  So you presumably are the very murderer of my family.  Now I propose to you an experiment. We will go into the other room and will tell my wife who you are. I can assure you my wife will not say one word of reproach, will not look angrily at you, and will smile at you as at every guest. She will consider you an honored guest.  If my wife, who is only human, can do this, knowing what you have done and can forgive you, then how much more will Jesus, who is love?”

The tall German soldier tore at his jacket, crying, “What have I done, what have I done? I am guilty of so much blood.”  He knelt with the pastor and asked God for forgiveness.

When her husband woke her, she did exactly as he described she would. When she heard that the soldier had repented of his sins, she fell around his neck. They both wept. Pastor Wurmbrand writes of the scene, “It was a scene of love like in heaven. That is what Jesus can do. He is love.”

When Christians begin to love God, they will love their enemies. The world today, as in the first century, will marvel when they see our loving attitudes and actions, “How those Christians love one another.” (John 13:35).

Application to life: Think of someone who may have persecuted you in the past.  Make a commitment today to love them and pray for them.  You will please the Lord.

Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  --Matthew 5:44

By Bill Bright

©2004 Copyright Bright Media Foundation