Loved ones, there’s a reason Jesus didn’t endear Himself to the crowds (for he knew what was in man…see John 2). As a matter of fact, he often rebuked them. In fact (hey, there’s another fact check here), He grew His ministry from hundreds to 12 in the course of one sermon (John 6). People were often asking for a sign, they wanted the show (the healings, the feedings, the wonders), and when he stopped providing the show, they each went their own way. On the day we now call “Palm Sunday” the Crowds of Jerusalem were shouting “Hosanna” and that Thursday, the crowds were shouting “Crucify.” I think there’s something to be said about crowds and the court of public opinion.
My point of all this is to watch out for those who have an axe to grind. Mobs are not a trustworthy source of inspiration. They’re quick to cheer on false teachings, and quick to pull out torches and pitchforks. They will tell Christians “you should show no forgiveness to that person! Do you know what they did?!” And, even if what they did was true, Jesus says “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Paul says to seek the welfare of our enemies, because God will handle things: Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)When we forgive and do good to our enemies, the hope is always that they will meet Jesus, but we’re also saying (as Shadrach, Meshak and Abednego did) “But if not,” because we know that if they never meet Jesus, in our love, kindness and forgiveness, God will ultimately handle it. We’re to love as Jesus did, who prayed for His abusers from the cross, even as they mocked and derided Him, or as Stephen did, even as they stoned him, or as Paul did, who converted his jailers as he waited to be beheaded. Forgiveness never excuses wrongdoing, but it seeks Christ in all outcomes. And to seek Christ in all outcomes, we ought to try and be like Christ regardless of the situation.
Luke 6:26-48“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

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