LUKE 6:27–36
Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American, was the first child in the American South to integrate an all-white public school in 1960. She was safely registered with Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to teach her, in spite of threats and insults from angry parents.
Child psychiatrist Robert Coles helped Ruby cope with fear and stress by meeting her multiple times. Ruby’s daily prayer, “Please, God, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), amazed him, as he saw it as a powerful tool.
Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness up to seven times (Matthew 18:21). Jesus told him it should be up to seventy-seven times. We can choose kindness and compassion, just as God forgave us in Christ. We never reach a limit when we are forgiven enough.
The hate and insults directed against Jesus were outweighed by the words that He said from the cross. During His most painful moments, our Lord exemplified the radical reaction He instructed His disciples: “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:27–28, 36).
We can only take this extraordinary approach when we reflect on the love that Jesus has given us, love that is greater than even the most intense hatred.
We were guided by Ruby Bridges.
🙏 Father, You have so graciously forgiven us. Help your children to forgive others who have wronged them, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
📸: Jacob Wackerhausen
