FORGIVENESS

During one of the persecutions of the Armenians by the Turks, an American girl and her brother were pursued by a blood-thirsty Turkish soldier.

He trapped them at the end of a lane and killed the brother before the sister's eyes. The sister managed to escape by leaping over the wall and fleeing into the country. Later she became a nurse.

One day a wounded soldier was brought into her hospital. She recognized him at once as the soldier who had killed her brother and had tried to kill her.

His condition was such that the least neglect or carelessness on the part of the nurse would have cost him his life. But she gave him the most painstaking and constant care.

One day when he was on the road to recovery he recognized her as the girl whose brother he had slain. He said to her, "Why have you done this for me who killed your brother?"

She answered, "Because I have a religion which teaches me to forgive my enemies."

(moreillustrations.com)

Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.’ But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap on your left cheek too.” (Matt 5:38 & 39 GNB)