Harim of Ethiopia
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." ~ Matthew 5:4
Read Minister of The Way before reading this Entry
Discussion between Disciple Zaith and Harim
Harim
“Faizah was my father’s name. Don’t remember much of him, he left when I was a boy.”
Zaith
“Did you have any mentor, or father figure that came into your life?”
Harim
“Yes, Leontes, Markus’ father.”
Zaith
“Oh? In what ways did he mentor you?”
Harim
“He showed me how to tend to livestock. He also introduced me to scripture.”
Zaith
“I see, so his loss must have hurt you dearly.”
Harim
“That it did, and I swore I wouldn’t forgive your people for not just slaughtering the Teacher called Jesus of Nazareth, but for killing Leontes, who was forced into the war!
Tell me, why do your-”
Zaith
“Harim, let us breathe… You are not alone in your grief. It is said that when Jesus hung up on the cross, He asked our Heavenly Father to forgive the very people, Jews, and Romans, who crucified Him, for they know not what they did. His great sermon was the pinnacle of what He lived by, loving His enemies even in their greatest sins against Him.
He calls us, myself, Leontes, and even you, to follow Him. To endure persecution by even those who we think should love us. All because we believe in His name!
Harim, you are not alone. You are never alone! It sounds to me like Leontes followed Christ Jesus to his death, which means he is raised with Him. And you can be too!”
When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
Luke 23:33-34
Harim
“How, when all I want is to kill both the Jews and Romans?”
Zaith
“There is a better path forward. A harder path, but one where He brings you peace. Vengeance is not a pathway forward, and it is not what Jesus calls us for, Harim. He calls us for greater purposes! To build His kingdom here on earth, and empowers us to fight a spiritual war!
Have you heard about Apostle Paul?”
Harim
“No?”
Zaith
“Ah, Apostle Paul was once a Pharisee who hunted us believers, sentencing us to death. Yet, Jesus came to him and used him to build His kingdom through Paul’s Holy Spirit.
A man who hunted and killed people like me and Leontes, and now he is known across many lands as one of the great Apostles of Christ Jesus.”
Harim
“So you’re saying, I can not only rid myself of these horrific desires but also be forgiven for having them?”
Zaith
“My dear Harim, just through believing in who Christ Jesus is, you are already forgiven.”
Harim
“Who… Who is He?”
Zaith
“He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life, He is the Messiah!”
In hearing my words, relayed to me through the Holy Spirit, Harim fell to his knees and pleaded for repentance. For salvation, in He who bares our many sins…
Heavenly Father
We come to You, holding out our sins to You, repenting for salvation in Your Son’s name. For He paid our great toll, suffered as a consequence, and was raised three days later! His power and glory purifies us with Your Holy Spirit, breathing new life so we may be born again of Your Spirit! Lord, we praise You for You’ve given us great authority, to cast out darkness here on earth, through the use of Your Son’s name, Christ Jesus! Now, with Your Spirit, guide us toward expanding Your kingdom, toward preparation for Your Son’s return, for Your promises are great, and Your way is Holy. Thanks go out to You, our Lord.
In Jesus name, we pray
Amen