I like Onesimus, was born into slavery – the slavery of the kingdom of the Prince of the Air who now rules this earthly kingdom—but freed from the shackles of slavery by the blood spilled Lamb of God who said “It is finished”— and the price was paid.
The slave born into the household of the earthly master ran and ran and ran and in his time of turmoil God directed his feet to encounter an aged prisoner, a slave of the Roman prison system. In this encounter, this slave would see the truth and power of forgiveness that would change his heart and soul forever. In the prison cell he would see the one who was a former blasphemer and persecutor and arrogant against The Way but on the road to Damascus encountered The One who would reveal His mercy and grace. This slave now joined this aged prisoner and went from being a willing slave of the evil kingdom to a bondslave of the heavenly kingdom; to serve Him willingly out of gratitude. Before he was useless but now useful not only for this aged prisoner but also for his earthly master.
Like the thief on the cross, Onesimus cried out to the Crucified One: remember me when you come into your kingdom and heard this reply: Today thou will be with me in Paradise. Now with letter in hand he returns to his earthly master. Will he be forgiven by him as he has been by the Holy Father? He will for now both the slave and the master are brothers redeemed by the Crucified Christ. The slave will serve with a renewed purpose and vision and the master will accept his service just as the Holy Father accepts our for now it is a service out of love and compassion.
I too was bound by the shackles of the kingdom of sin but now am freed by the blood of the Crucified Christ? Listen to His words; Come unto me all who are weary and laden with sin and I will give you rest and I came.
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