FORGIVEN

By Flourish Ayikoye

SAFACS 2023 ENTRY 9

Magdalene relaxed into the water as the fragrance of aloe vera filled the room. Not even the warm water comforted her. She had been hearing of the man called the Messiah; sent to free all, but she doubted if she could ever be free.

She had gone too deep in the dark to come across a glimpse of light.

A knock on her door jolted her back to reality. It was Shephatiah’s slave girl with a letter from her master. She already knew its content.

He only sent Salome to her house whenever he needed someone to warm his bed.

She dried herself and put on one of her finest linens. She blamed her parents for neglecting her and she despised her nephew, Ahiti, for taking the only thing she prided in, her virginity.

Shephatiah was the only person that made her feel wanted and she did not mind being his secret concubine. Although she had a bad feeling about today, she did not want to disappoint him.

She looked at the clock, Shephatiah had said his wife would be out before noon. Taking her veil, she set out to meet him. As always, she got in through the back door.

Beaming with smiles, he invited her to join him on the bed. Just as they began, the door flung open and there was Alena, his wife. Magdalene froze.

Alena screamed, inviting the attention of everyone around. She dragged the barely clothed Magdalene and handed her over to the Pharisees.

According to the Law of Moses, the penalty for adultery is death. She was to be killed outside the temple courts but on hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was teaching in the temple courts that day, they dragged her to Him. Magdalene silently prayed for rescue.

"Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, she must be stoned to death!"

He looked from them to Magdalene and all he saw was someone lost, who wanted to be loved and valued.

Turning away, He bent down and began to write. The people wondered what he was up to. Soon after, he stood up, looked at them, and said, "If anyone is without sin, let him cast the first stone." Then he bent down and continued writing.

The place went silent and one by one they left till she was alone with the Messiah.

Standing up, Jesus asked her, "Where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, Sir" She whispered amidst tears.

"Neither do I, go and sin no more."

Those words rang in her head as she walked home, caring less about the eyes fastened on her, or their obvious looks of disgust.

She had met the Messiah and he did not condemn her.

"I am free", She screamed. The joy that filled her heart could not be contained. That day she committed to serving Christ. With an extra skip in her steps and peace unfounded, Magdalene knew it was a new dawn. She was forgiven and truly free.