Facing My Nazi Guard
In the somber days following World War II, I found myself in a church in Germany, sharing the message of Jesus' love and forgiveness. It was 1947, and the war had left its scars on all of us. As I spoke, I noticed a man approaching me after the service. My heart sank as I recognized him: Jan Vogel, the very guard from Ravensbrück who had betrayed my family. In that moment, I was flooded with memories of the suffering he had caused. But as Vogel stood before me, telling me how he had found Christ and asking for my forgiveness, I realized that the same Jesus who had forgiven me demanded that I do the same.
Supernatural Forgiveness Through Prayer
I wrestled internally, my heart torn between anger and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I knew that forgiveness was not a feeling but an act of the will. So, I silently prayed, 'Jesus, help me!' As I reached out my hand to him, an overwhelming warmth flooded my being, and I felt God's love flowing through me. 'I forgive you, brother, with all my heart,' I said. In that powerful moment, I understood the depth of God's love and the freedom that comes with true forgiveness.
Lives Transformed by Grace
This encounter taught me that forgiveness is the key to healing. Jesus had not only worked in my life but also in the heart of Jan Vogel. What was once an insurmountable wall of pain and betrayal became an opportunity for grace to triumph. Through Christ, both of our lives were transformed, and I could truly say that He had turned ashes into beauty, bringing peace where there had been only hurt.
