I liked the analogies and so peacefully I pass this on.

The Road to Calvary: Forgiveness

[Jesus] said to [Peter] again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."

John chapter 21: verse16

Recommended Reading
Matthew chapter 26: verses 69-75



It has been said that there are two proven ways never to experience disappointment in another person: The first way is to get close to no one. As long as you remain isolated and alone, you'll never be disappointed by another person. But if you do succumb to the temptation to have a friend, the second way to avoid disappointment is to expect nothing. If you have no expectations, you'll never be disappointed.

Unfortunately, those are both very bad ideas. There is a third approach to handling disappointment that allows you to have friends and expectations. With this approach you'll be disappointed, but you'll be able to handle it. The third way is Jesus' way: Practice forgiveness. Jesus had a close friend named Peter who, on the night Jesus was arrested, denied he was one of Jesus' followers or that he even knew the Man. That had to hurt Jesus. But because He was committed to forgiveness, it didn't end their relationship.

When (not if) a friend disappoints you, remember Jesus' approach on the road to Calvary: Friends forgive friends who fail.


The symbol of the religion (faith in Jesus) is the cross, not the scales.
John R. W. Stott