Jesus' Admonition To Forgive

57. Recall Jesus' admonition to forgive others, because we are forgiven: "[F]orgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25, RSV.)

58. Forgiveness was so central to Jesus' teachings that he taught us in the Lord's Prayer to pray: "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." (Luke 11.4, traditional modern language.)

Jesus' Blesses The Merciful

59. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus blesses those who are merciful: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7, RSV.)

60. Would you agree that through this blessing, Jesus exhorts us to show mercy, rather than exacting punishment?