Terri and Chuck Roberts have four sons and eleven grandchildren. So far, so good. One of their sons, Charlie, was the gunman who entered an Amish one-room schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, PA and shot ten girls in 2006, killing five of them before turning the gun on himself.
The reaction by the Amish community stunned the watching world. They showed up at the Roberts home later that day to extend forgiveness, including the dad whose two daughters had died in the shooting. They wrote notes, sent gifts and attended their son’s funeral. The reporters couldn’t stop talking about it. What caused these cultural outliers to act this way? Bottom line: they took Jesus’ teachings seriously about turning the other cheek. While they refused to talk to the press, one Amish farmer offered this much, “If you don’t forgive, you won’t be forgiven.” Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Later, Jesus adds his commentary to the prayer, “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mt. 6.14-15). Like I said, they took Jesus seriously.
Terri Roberts wrote a book about being on the receiving end of so much forgiveness. Her family wanted to move away to escape the scrutiny, but the Amish community convinced them to stay, forming lasting friendships. The Amish taught them how to forgive their deceased son. I know the Lord’s Prayer so well I can recite it without thinking. Today, let’s pray it slowly, especially as we come to the part about receiving and extending forgiveness: