In the Story of the Leper (Mark 1:40-45) it deals with a leper who believes he was not good enough for Jesus, “If you want you can make me clean”. Jesus was filled with pity and he treated him equally by healing him, as a leper would have been treated like an outsider in society at the time. The story shows us that Jesus treats everyone equally and calls on us to do so.
Forgiveness
When we sin we separate our bond with God but Forgiveness restores a persons broken relationship with God and other people. Forgiveness gives us a second chance.
Jesus spoke about Forgiveness in the gospel. In Matthew 18:21-22 Jesus quotes how many times he believes we should forgive, “Not seven times but seventy-seven times”. What Jesus is saying is that forgiveness is unlimited.
In Matthew 18:10-14 Jesus teaches us about forgiveness. He emphasises his anxious care for a sinner who has got lost. He shows his arms are always open for forgiveness and he values each sinner. The same also applies to Luke 18:9-14. When the tax collector asks for pity Jesus tells him he will be great. What Jesus is saying is that no matter who you are, even if you are a tax collector Jesus treats you equally and he will forgive you.
In Mark 2:15-17 Jesus is having a meal with Matthew the tax collector a lot of people ask him why? And he replies, “Those who are well do not need a doctor only those who are sick” Jesus is saying that he wants to forgive all sinners. In Luke 19:1-10 Jesus forgives and welcomes Zaccheus back to the Kingdom of God.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation means being reconciled with friends, enemies and God. Reconciliation is a process, which involves a number of steps. In reconciliation we forgive each other and are sorry.
In Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus talks about loving our enemies. He tells us to love everyone as god treats the whole world that way; good and evil enjoy the creation. He also tells us there is no virtue for being generous to people who are generous to us. He wants us to be generous to our enemies and reflect the father who loves the world.
In St Paul, Roman 12:17-21 Jesus tells us how we should teat people who persecute us. He tells us if someone does a wrong to us we must not return a wrong. We are also told to do everything possible to live in peace with everyone. We should also conquer evil with good.
Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift”. This quotes shows us that Jesus feels strongly about reconciliation. He would rather we went and reconciled with our brother than offer a gift at the altar.
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