Chris Rock tweeted “Nelson Mandela the closes (sic) thing to Jesus Christ”. I am not so sure if I agree with this tweet, but one thing I am sure of is that Mandela understood and obeyed Jesus’ instruction that we must forgive others. (See Matthew 6:12; 18:21)
Forgiving is probably one of the hardest tasks for a human being. We keep grudges and find it difficult to let them go. In this we miss the fact that, forgiving is key to freedom. When we forgive we are let free and then we become more powerful. Mandela knew this. He had the grace to forgive. His people and him were tortured for years. They were victims of one of the painful crimes against humanity- apartheid. Being discriminated because of your skin colour is unimaginably hurting and a fiery wound to human dignity. Apartheid was a virus that only forgiveness had the power to crush it.
After going through pains of apartheid including the cruel 27 years of prison, Mandela came out and forgave all those who did that to him. The effect of that was the moral authority and power. He commanded respect all over the world. There are only a few historic figures who became so power out of their moral actions. Mandela is one of them. Have you ever imagined what would have happened if Mandela decided to revenge or pay back? Remember, he had the means to do so,!
Well, I feel very incapable to continue writing anything about this Great African Hero. I humbly say, he has taught me that FORGIVING means POWER and FREEDOM. Thank you God for bringing Mandela into the world…he was a gift to every race you created.
Pumzika vizuri baba yetu Nelson Mandela Madiba!!! #Love
The thesis of this topic, Forgiveness is very deeper, thanks for the analysis. Its our tradition to do thanksgiving prayers everymorning on Fridays into our offices. As we gathered this morning, we were thankful for Madiba Papa Mandela, and we remembered how sacrificial he was, selfless and a very loving human being, its true he had a Christ character in him.
The demonstration of power of revenge was in his hands, and he did not chose to revenge rather forgive, reminds me of Gethsemane when the disciple of Christ, Peter cut an ear of one of the soldiers, and yet Christ used His power and healed the soldier instantly.
All these has brought me into the same conclusion, that FORGIVING means POWER and FREEDOM.
Mandelaaaaaaaaa woyooooo!
May Madiba Nelson Mandela’s Soul Rest In Peace…May the heaven’s Light Shine On You….With Soooo Muuch Love….ACK/.
Aikande, this is very touching letter. I remember when he was asked Why he was not resentful for his imprisonment? He replied, “Resentment is like a glass of poison that a man drinks; then he sits down and waits for his enemy to die.”
He was indeed a man that no one can imagine of loosing him, a man with dignity, courageous, and profoundly good human being that millions of us are inspired by his life. May God bless his Memory and May God keep him in a peace he deserve.
“R.I.P. Tata Madiba”