A LESSON IN FORGIVENESS
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:37)
In John 7:8, the Bible tells of how the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman before Jesus. She was said to have been caught in the very act of adultery. The Spirit, through John, specifically tells us they were trying to trap Him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against Him (John 8:6).
However, the Master's response to them was, "...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). When they heard it, all went away, disgruntled, leaving Him alone with the woman. When the woman's accusers left, Jesus neither lashed out on her nor condemned her. Rather, He said to her, "...go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). How inspiring and comforting! His actions were ever so gracious. Also, consider when Peter denied Him after His arrest. To others, Peter should have been written off, not worthy to be called an apostle; but not with Jesus!
The third time He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, He reinstated Peter. He asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" to Peter's affirmative responses, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-18). The Greek word translated "feed" in verse 15 and 16 aren't the same. The first "feed" in verse 15 is "boskõ" and it means to feed and keep the lambs.
