amish forgiveness

as I have been preparing myself to lead worship this week – the Amish massacre has been heavy on my heart – in fact – really hard to think about in light of singing to God

Thoughts that come to mind:

Anger, disbelief, satan, evil, confusion

Thoughts that don’t come to mind:

Forgiveness? That’s something that the families and Amish community have been dealing with. But sometimes hard experiences, difficult times and difficult thoughts, result in worship…

Amish grandfather: 'We must not think evil of this man...

POSTED: 2:30 a.m. EDT, October 5, 2006

PARADISE, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- A grieving grandfather told young relatives not to hate the gunman who killed five girls in an Amish schoolhouse massacre, a pastor said on Wednesday.

"As we were standing next to the body of this 13-year-old girl, the grandfather was tutoring the young boys, he was making a point, just saying to the family, 'We must not think evil of this man,' " the Rev. Robert Schenck told CNN.

"It was one of the most touching things I have seen in 25 years of Christian ministry."

Later…in article

Jack Meyer, a member of the Brethren community living near the Amish in Lancaster County, said local people were trying to follow Jesus' teachings in dealing with the "terrible hurt."

"I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts," he told CNN.

Sam Stoltzfus, 63, an Amish woodworker who lives a few miles away from the shooting scene, told The Associated Press that the victims' families will be sustained by their faith.

"We think it was God's plan, and we're going to have to pick up the pieces and keep going," he told AP. "A funeral to us is a much more important thing than the day of birth because we believe in the hereafter. The children are better off than their survivors."

My’s thoughts:

Not to get into Amish theology, but it is amazing how the tragedy has highlighted their faith – and specifically their quickness to forgive. It’s not every week that CNN has headlines revolving around faith and forgiveness. It reminds me that the evil in this world is right around the corner, but it also reminds me of God’s amazing mixture of justice and forgiveness – that combine to serve up grace.

I would not be so quick to forgive, if something happened to one of my children…

One of the things that amazes me about God’s forgiveness, is thinking about how difficult it is for me to forgive someone that has wronged me – I’m quick to serve justice – especially in my mind.

The scripture this morning certainly relates to God’s Justice (the ten commandments), but of course Paul reminds us that the Law has been fulfilled through Christ, ultimately God’s perfect laws and justice combined with our sinfulness – lead to God’s grace and forgiveness – encompassed in Jesus on the cross.