“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,…”
Colossians 3:12-13.
In November 2018, the world was shocked to learn that an American missionary had been killed by a tribal group on North Sentinel Island. The North Sentinel Island is part of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, a union territory of India located in the Bay of Bengal to the east. Sentinelese are an unreached tribe. As far as we knew, no foreigners were allowed to visit this island, and no one had attempted to bring the gospel to this community. The last known contact with the outside world occurred in 2006 when two fishermen drifted to the island and were killed.
The missionary in question, John Chau, felt a calling from God to carry the gospel to the Sentinelese people and began his preparation in 2008. Having spent years training and preparing for the unknown, he was aware of the risks involved. He wrote in his journal on November 16, 2018, “Why did a little kid have to shoot me today?”…Father forgive him and any of the people on this island who try to kill me and especially forgive them if they succeed.” (Voice of Martyrs June 2022 Vol 56 No 6 page 9). Although John knew the risks involved, his love for Christ and the love he knew Christ had for this tribe convinced him that this was all worth the attempt.
The world reacted with sorrow and anger, and people commented on his ‘reckless actions’. He was referred to as a ‘misguided missionary’, a ‘coloniser’, and a ‘thoughtless disease spreader,’ but he responded to Christ’s love for him and understood that this love must be shared with the people that God created and loved.
From the time John swam ashore to meet the Sentinelese people to the time the fishermen witnessed a burial on the beach, only his silhouette and clothing confirmed his death. Fishermen who carried him close to the island delivered his last notes and journal to his friends. The parents of John asked the Indian government to release the fishermen who were arrested, as well as all of the Christians who had spoken with him before the journey. In addition, all Sentilenese have been publicly forgiven for his death. There may be a question in your mind as to how such an end could lead to forgiveness. After experiencing the love of Christ and receiving His forgiveness, we should also demonstrate that forgiveness to those who have hurt us.
Today, let us be mindful of the importance of forgiving quickly in order to maintain a healthy relationship.
Prayer
Lord, help me today to forgive as you have forgiven me. Let me demonstrate Your love to everyone I meet. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Read: Psalm 32: 1-2; 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 4:1-6
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 96; I Corinthians 9:1-18; Ecclesiastes 9:13-18; Ecclesiastes 10; Ecclesiastes 11; Ecclesiastes 12
