13/09/2024
During the reign of one of the foremost *Akarigbo of Remo kingdom* , three persons came to him dragging a young man with them and said to him, *Alayeluwa* , this man has murdered our father."
*Oba Akarigbo*: "Why did you kill their father?"
*Kobiowu*: "I'm a goatherd. My goat ate from their father's farm and he threw a stone at my goat and it died so I also took the stone and threw it at their father and he also died."
*Alayeluwa Oba Akarigbo*: "Because of this, I pass judgment on your charge of murder by sentencing you to death."
*Kobiowu* said:
"I ask for 3 days before you execute the judgment. My late father left me some wealth and I have a sister to take care of. If you kill me now, the wealth and my sister will have no guardian."
*Alayeluwa*: "Who will stand for your bail?"
*Kobiowu* looking into the crowd, pointed at *Abanise*.
*Kabiyesi Akarigbo* : "Do you agree to stand for him, *Abanise*?"
*Abanise* :"Yes."
*Kabiyesi* enquired further: "You agree to stand for someone you don't know and if he doesn't return you'll receive his penalty."
*Abanise*: "I accept."
*Kobiowu* then left but after two days and into the third day there was still no sign of him.
Everyone was very afraid for *Abanise* who had accepted to receive the penalty of death if the man failed to return.
Just before it was time for dinner, the *Kobiowu* appeared looking very exhausted and stood before *Alayeluwa Oba Akarigbo*.
*Kobiowu*: "I have handed the wealth and the welfare of my sister to my uncle and I am back to receive the penalty. You may execute the penalty now."
In great shock and surprise, *Akarigbo* said: "why did you willingly return after having a chance to escape the death penalty?"
*Kobiowu* "I was afraid it will appear that humanity has lost integrity (Proverbs 11.3; 2Corinthians 8:21; Hebrews 13:18) and the ability to fulfill promises (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; James 5:12; Ephesians 4:24-25) made."
*Akarigbo* turned and looked at *Abanise* and asked him: "And why did you stand for him?"
*Abanise* responded: "I was afraid it might appear that humanity has lost the will to do good to others (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 13:16; Romans 12:13)."
These words and events moved the brothers who had wanted justice for their father's death very deeply, and they decided to forgive the young *Kobiowu*.
In anger, *Akarigbo* asked, "Why?"
They said: "We are afraid it will appear as though forgiveness has lost place in the heart of humanity (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 18:21-22)."
I have also forwarded this beautiful message to you in fear that 'it might appear that reminders towards doing good have lost place in humanity if I don't'.
I encourage you to also pass it on in the fear that 'it might appear that spreading a good message has lost place in humanity'.
