An Example of Grace and Forgiveness

In post-Apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela faced the monumental task of addressing the injustices committed under the oppressive regime that had brutalized and degraded millions of Black South Africans. Covering atrocities from 1964 through 1994, his chosen path was remarkable — the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Rather than seek retribution, Mandela believed his nation needed healing.

Led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the TRC allowed those who had committed crimes and human rights violations to come forward, confess, and offer apologies in exchange for forgiveness. Mandela himself, who had endured 27 years in prison, insisted: “Our country needs healing, not punishment.”

John 3:14–17

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

From Genesis to the Gospels, the image of the serpent weaves through Scripture — from the temptation in Eden, to the fiery serpents in the wilderness, to the bronze serpent Moses lifted up for healing. By the time of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, this image carried deep meaning. Jesus used it to reveal that He Himself would be lifted up, fulfilling the promise of ultimate forgiveness and redemption.

One powerful modern picture of such forgiveness emerged around 1998 when a South African police officer, Van de Borek, testified to his horrific crimes before the TRC. He had entered a family’s home without cause, shot their son, and set his body on fire — later returning to kill the husband as well. Now, face to face with the widow, he begged for mercy.

The judge asked the woman what she wanted from him. Her response was stunning:

“I want him to go to the place where he killed my family, gather the dust and ashes, and bring them to me so I can give them a proper burial. Mr. Van de Borek took my family away, and I have a lot of love to give. I want him to come to the ghetto twice a month and visit me so I can be a mother to him. I want him to know God has forgiven him, and I forgive him. I want to embrace him so he will know my forgiveness is real.”

John 3:18–21

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil... But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

What about you? What are you holding on to? Is there something weighing you down — something that needs to be brought into the light? What this widow modeled through unimaginable pain is exactly what God offers through His Son: forgiveness, healing, and new life.

Will you step into the light and let the Son embrace you today?