On August 17th the Channel 7 program “Spotlight” screened a feature on a most remarkable man Danny Abdallah from Sydney. You might remember the terrible incident from February 2020, when Abdallah’s three children, Antony (13), Angelina (12), and Sienna (8), along with their cousin Veronique Sakr (11), were killed when an out of control vehicle ran onto the footpath. The driver, Samuel William Davidson, 35, was three times over the legal alcohol limit and on drugs.

 

Shortly after this tragic crash, Danny and his wife Leila went to the media and publicly offered their forgiveness to Davidson.

 

In the “Spotlight” program, Danny and Davidson met together and talked about their experience. While the Abdallah’s were committed christians at the time of the tragedy, Davidson has converted since being in prison.

 

As a parent I can think of no greater loss than to have your young children killed so senselessly.

To forgive the perpetrator of such severe suffering seems almost saintly or superhuman.

 

Jesus commands us not only to forgive but to love our enemies. “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 mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28).

 

In an age where there is so much anger, vengeance and desire to punish others, forgiveness as a way of life seems odd, even impossible. In human terms it is very hard to forgive our enemies. But as the Abdallah family have shown us, Jesus gives us grace so that we can love those who hurt us.

 

Maybe you have hurt that you need to let go of.

 

It might seem too much for you to let the hurt go and forgive what was done to you. Ask Jesus to give you the power and the desire to forgive.