Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, thousands of lives have been lost. Approximately 6.7 million Ukrainians have left the country, with most seeking refuge in European nations.
As of December 2023, direct war damages in Ukraine were estimated at $152 billion, with housing, transportation, commerce, industry, energy, and agriculture being the most affected sectors.
As their Christmas “gift,” Russia launched a significant missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, coinciding with Christmas celebrations. The assault involved over 70 missiles and 100 drones, targeting multiple cities and regions.
This reminds me of a quote from my study of Proverbs. “Righteous people use their power to benefit others, while evil people use their power to take what belongs to others for themselves.”
For those who have suffered immense loss—whether of property, loved ones, dignity, or security—forgiveness can feel like an overwhelming challenge. Yet, God makes it clear that forgiveness, though incredibly difficult, is essential.
Jesus gave us this parable to encourage us in the midst of great injustice.
In the story, Jesus told of a man who owed the equivalent of 200,000 years of labor.
The man “fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything'”
And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt” (Matthew 18.26-27).
The man had no possible way to repay his enormous debt, yet his master chose to forgive him completely.
However, this same man later encountered someone who owed him a much smaller amount—the equivalent of about a hundred days’ wages. Instead of showing mercy, he seized the man by the throat and demanded immediate payment. When the debtor couldn’t pay, he had him thrown into prison until the debt was repaid.
Other servants heard about how this man had treated his fellow servant. They reported it to the master, who responded as follows:
Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’” (Matthew 18.2-33).
Applying Jesus’ Teaching
C.S. Lewis has written an excellent book on the subject of pain and the necessity of forgiveness. One point that stands out to me from his book is that profound injustice leads to deep pain, making forgiveness extraordinarily challenging.
Anyone who has been the victim of an unjust war or any other profound wrongdoing can attest to how incredibly difficult it is to attempt forgiveness.
Perhaps the best approach is to acknowledge the pain and deep hurt and bring it to God in prayer: “Lord, You teach that I owe You an incalculable debt. Just as You have forgiven me, please help me begin the process of forgiving the person who has deeply offended and hurt me.”
A Practical Example
In the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where approximately 800,000 people were killed in 100 days, forgiveness emerged as a pivotal element in the nation’s journey toward healing and reconciliation.
Rwanda is primarily a Christian nation. How do Christians who have gravely harmed one another forgive and reconcile? The Internet reveals some of the ways that the Rwandan people embraced forgiveness and reconciliation.
(1) Gacaca Courts:
To address the overwhelming number of genocide-related crimes, Rwanda revived the traditional Gacaca court system. These community-based courts encouraged perpetrators to confess their crimes, express remorse, and seek forgiveness publicly. This process aimed to promote truth-telling, facilitate reconciliation, and reintegrate offenders into society.
(2) Reconciliation Villages:
Initiatives like the Rweru Reconciliation Village brought together survivors and perpetrators to live side by side. Through shared activities and open dialogues, these communities worked toward mutual understanding and forgiveness, symbolizing the power of unity and healing.
(3) Faith-Based Approaches:
Many Rwandans turned to their religious faith to navigate the challenges of forgiveness. Christian teachings on forgiveness provided a framework for individuals to process their trauma and extend mercy to those who had wronged them.
(4) Personal Stories of Forgiveness:
Numerous individuals chose the path of forgiveness, often meeting face-to-face with those who harmed them or their families. These personal acts of forgiveness played a significant role in mending the social fabric and fostering national unity.
Our Response
I have shared powerful examples of profound injustice and extraordinary forgiveness. Thankfully, most of us will never face such immense pain or be called to offer such profound forgiveness.
However, Jesus’ teaching remains true for us, just as it does for those in the most extreme circumstances.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 