..Whence such forgiveness?..

People who forgave those who harmed them

May 29, 2007 (Tuesday) – Someone has said, “Forgiveness is a lovely idea, until you have something to forgive!” I offer three illustrations of people who forgave those who harmed them.
Recently, in Turkey, three Christians were tortured and murdered because of their faith. The Christian community forgave theperpetrators and the wife of one of the men said, “We forgive thembecause Jesus forgave us.” Then the wife of one of the other victims followed with, “and He said we should love our enemies.” (To read the whole story, click here).
After President Reagan was shot on March 30, 1981,he prayed on his hospital bed for his would-be assassin, John Hinkley. We now know that his wound was extremely serious, and he was finding it more difficult to breathe as he struggled to live. He suddenly realized that he could not pray for God’s help without forgiving the person who shot him, and praying for him. So he prayed, with genuine compassion, for a young man he considered to be “mixed up.”
Last October, we were shocked and appalled at a mass shooting in an Amish school. The gunman killed or wounded 10 girls, ages 6-13. Five died and at least one who survived is still semi-comatose. The victims and their families forgave the killer, who committed suicide. They tore down the school house and built another at a different location. There would be no ruminating over the tragedy to stir up bitter thoughts. The Amish not only forgave the man, they reached out with comfort for his family and even established a charitable fund for them. The whole world is in awe of such sincere outward expression of an inward faith. The Amish people practice what they preach.
Whence such forgiveness? How is it possible? Through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13).
Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him. As the nails were driven through His hands, with blood from a crown of thorns staining His face, feeling on his back the stinging wounds of the whipping he had just received, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” He taught us by precept and example to forgive others.