Article September 21, 2009 Issue

JESUS UPHELD THEIR INNOCENCE

BY KATHY FITZER

Ways of forgiving appear throughout the Bible.

David's psalms often express his love for God as he acknowledges God's forgiving nature: "Let all that I am praise the Lord; ... He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases" (103:2, 3, New Living Translation). And familiar Bible stories include Joseph forgiving his brothers, as well as David holding no hatred of Saul, although Saul openly sought his death.

Although both David and Joseph lived before Jesus, the love they expressed was Christlike love. The individual expression of God's grace is timeless. Yet many would be hard-pressed to find a better example of a loving and forgiving life than the one Jesus led. Love seemed to propel and compel all he did—even when he was attacked verbally or physically. Jesus truly taught what he lived, and lived what he taught.