Women in the Easter StorySýnishorn

Father, Forgive Them

In the heart of the Middle East, a Christian mother and daughter were enjoying a normal day before a knock at the door changed everything. A soldier told her they must leave immediately or they would be killed.

“My daughter is in the shower,” she said, “but we will gather our things and leave as soon as possible.”

While the shower water ran, the mother began packing the little they would need. But the soldier had no mercy and started a massive fire to burn the house down. The mother somehow survived, but her daughter was consumed by the flames. As the young girl lay dying in her mother’s arms, with her last breath she said, “Forgive them …”

This horrific scene harkens to the words of Christ when nailed to a cross, beaten, slashed, and gasping for breath, He called out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Would you forgive the men who burned your daughter to death? Could you forgive? That young woman loved the grace of God more than she loved her life.  She was going to her eternal home of glory—freed from the battle, from persecution. But it was more difficult for the mother she left behind, battling grief and hate.

It takes faith to forgive. There will be circumstances in life that threaten and tempt all the grace we have. But we don’t have to battle in our own strength. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to give us what we won’t have on our own.

Next time you are the victim of injustice, remember the example of Christ and martyrs of the faith like this young woman and others, and proclaim in your heart, “I forgive them.”

Discuss: Have you ever struggled with forgiveness? Make a list of anyone you are currently struggling to forgive and bring your concerns before the throne of God.