“THE HUG THAT SHOOK THE WORLD”
(1 Samuel 23:1-29; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18; Psalm 4:1-9; 1 Samuel 24:1-22; Psalm 56:1-11)
“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.” – 1 Samuel 24:4-6
“When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves: one for your enemy, and one for yourself.”― Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes
On September 6, 2018, Amber Guyger, a Dallas Police officer, finished her shift and drove home to her apartment complex, still in uniform. Possibly distracted from being on the phone, instead of walking into her own apartment she went to the apartment one floor above her own, where the door was ajar. She walked in to find Botham Jean, a 26-year old Black accountant from St. Lucia, sitting on his couch eating ice cream. He was unarmed. Claiming to believe he was a burglar in her apartment, she shot and killed him. After a period of unrest in Dallas and a trial, Guyger was convicted of murder and sentenced to ten years in prison.
During the sentencing hearing, Botham Jean’s 18-year-old brother Brandt gave the victim’s impact statement on behalf of the family. As he rose to go to the microphone with no remarks prepared beforehand, his grandmother put her hand on his knee and said “Remember, it’s her soul that counts.” And so he began by saying that he didn’t want to repeat how much Guyger had taken from his family, as he believed she already knew. He paused and sighed before stating that if she was truly sorry, he forgave her and believed God would forgive her too. And then he asked the judge if he do something that no one expected:
“I don’t know if this is possible,” he says, “but could I give her a hug, please?” He taps his hand against the top of the witness stand and sniffles. “Please?”
The judge said “yes,” So Jean and Guyger met in the center of the courtroom and embraced, with Guyger saying, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Even the judge was brought to tears. This was an unexpected hug of forgiveness during a murder trial, and it shook the world. And perhaps if we forgive those who have transgressed against us, our world would be shaken too!
Application
David refused to take revenge on Saul. Many cultures consider refusing to take revenge a sign of weakness and cowardice. The gospel, however, teaches that forgiveness is a sign of strength and has the power to transform the wrongdoer.
Reflections
Do you have broken relationships that are the result of unforgiveness? How can you absorb the wrongdoing to bring healing?
Read more about Brandt Jean’s act of forgiveness here – https://bit.ly/4c4hYv4 , including the praise and criticism that followed.
Closing Prayer…
Dear God, today I look to you for the strength to forgive those who have wronged me. Help me to see that forgiveness is not about condoning their actions, but about releasing myself from the burden of anger and resentment. Help me to trust that you will bring justice and healing in your own time.
I know that forgiveness is not easy, but I believe that it is possible with your help. Please give me the strength to forgive those who have hurt me, so that I can be free from the pain of the past and move on with my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
About our Author
Chris Rainey is a learning technologies manager, bi-vocational Christian minister, writer/poet, corporate trainer, and curriculum developer. Chris is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and is a graduate of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with an M.Div in Christian Education and a BA in Bible from Evangel University. He is originally from Southern Illinois, but has now lived in Northern New Jersey for over 30 years. He enjoys reading, hiking, biking, swimming, watching Survivor, and the New York Mets. He resides with Marcia, his wife of over 40 years, and has three daughters and a grandson.
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