December 8, 2022
Melissa Valerio
On January 15, 1919, a tank holding 2.3 gallons of molasses ruptured and spilled molasses into the city streets of Boston, Massachusetts. Traveling at 35mph, the wave of molasses leveled buildings to the ground, sent vehicles flying into the air, suffocated 21 people, and injured 150 more. The company that owned the business, Purity Distilling Company, knew there were problems with the tank. When filled with molasses, the contents would leak through cracks, which they painted brown to cover the leakage. After this tragedy occurred, the families of the deceased filed a class-action suit against the company. The company claimed the tank was blown up by “evilly disposed persons”, rather than acknowledging the tank was faulty already. After 3 years of court hearings, the company was found to be responsible and was ordered to pay $628,000 in damages, with each family receiving about $7,000 for their lost family member. Why was it so hard for them to admit they were wrong? Why did they concoct a ridiculous lie about the tank being sabotaged?
The families left with the aftermath were undoubtedly angry. Losing a loved one in this manner was tragic enough, but then hearing the company give an asinine excuse about the reason it happened was truly putting salt on the wound. Why was it so hard for them to say, “We’re sorry. We were wrong.”?
Hmmm…. good question. Why is it hard for any of us?
In Luke 19:1-10, we read the story of Zaccheus, a chief tax collector who was hated among his Jewish people because he took extra money from them when collecting taxes. That extra money allowed him to live a very comfortable life while his Jewish brothers and sisters remained in poverty. He made life extremely difficult for them. No wonder he was hated. Yet even though he was rejected by most people, Jesus chose to spend that evening at Zaccheus’ home for dinner, showing him love and compassion despite his actions. Feeling convicted in his heart for all the wrong he’d done to his fellow people, Zaccheus vowed to make restitution for everything he took from them. He vowed to give back four times what he took, clearly showing his remorse. So maybe it’s not enough just to say, “I’m sorry.” Maybe we need to go the extra mile to really show that we’re sorry.
When we look back in the Old Testament, we see restitution being instituted by God. Leviticus 6:1-5 says “The Lord said to Moses: ‘If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, or if they find lost property and lie about it, or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit— when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found, or whatever it was they swore falsely about. They must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day they present their guilt offering.’” (NIV)
Restitution is biblical, and the right thing to do! It’s the proper way to deal with relationships that have been cracked, or maybe even broken, by our own hands. It’s the visible proof that you and I understand we hurt or wronged someone and are serious about making amends. Proverbs 14:9 says, “Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright” (NIV). So let’s not be slow as molasses in this. Let’s start mending these relationships while we still can.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am sorry for all the times I’ve hurt You and those You’ve brought into my life. Either by direct sin, indirect sin, or even neglect. Please show me how I can repair what I have broken. Continue to shape my heart for You. You are the God of restoration, and my trust is in You. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Action: Think of someone you have wronged. How can you go above and beyond to repay them for the wrong done to them? Ask the Lord for guidance if you need help figuring that part out. Then bake some molasses cookies in remembrance of those that lost their lives.
Molasses Cookies
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
¾ cup shortening
1 cup sugar, more for rolling
1 egg
¼ cup molasses
Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix and sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Sift again twice more and set aside. In a large bowl, beat shortening until creamy. Add 1 cup sugar gradually, continue beating, then add egg and molasses. Add flour mixture ½ cup at a time, blending well after each addition. Roll dough into small balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake 12 minutes or until tops are slightly rounded and cracked. Careful not to overbake. Makes about 48 cookies.