WHY FORGIVE A KILLER?

         A recent TV show was about a young woman who's family had been killed by a drug-crazed maniac when she was only 6 years old. The murderer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Twenty five years later the murderer asked to see her and tell her he was terribly sorry. She was still very bitter and told him she would never forgive him. The only way he could show he was truly sorry, she said, was to kill himself. She left the prison smiling because she’d finally told him what she wanted.
         Watching this show, I was left with an empty feeling, one of disappointment. The writers gave us their view of Christian forgiveness in the wake of terrible crimes, “Don’t do it! Hurt him back!" Although I have no idea how she would have felt, it seemed that evil somehow had won the day. Satan made bitterness her solution. Forgiveness had been withheld and we were supposed to feel the woman was vindicated by her personal verdict of death on the murderer.
          Forgiveness is not excusing what another person has done, it is giving up all claim on the one who has hurt you. It is surrendering your right to hurt the offender back. Forgiveness is choosing a new way to live. It is a conscious decision not to let the offender or the offense control your life.
         Forgiveness does not need the offender’s confession or repentance. After the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, some parents were told since the killers both were dead, it wasn’t necessary to forgive them. That's a mistake, because the offender may not be sorry, or available. Forgiveness is an act of free choice by the offended to the one who has caused offense.
         Forgiveness can also be for the offender, but it’s first done for the offended. Forgiveness is conscious decision so the offended can go on living. It is also a way to show mercy. Withholding forgiveness locks us into a prison we don’t deserve or need.
         When Jesus hung on a cross, it was after a night of arrest and confinement, a morning of betrayal and beating, the humiliation of the crowds and the pain of crucifixion. Yet His first words were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus knew forgiveness was needed, and He did it. He did it for sinners, and as a human being He did it for Himself.

Who do you need to forgive?