5 Sermon Illustrations on Revenge And Forgiveness

Implication of. A young man who had great cause of complaint against another told an old hermit that he was resolved to be avenged. The good old man did all that he could to dissuade him; but seeing that it was impossible, and the young man persisted in seeking vengeance, he said to him, "At least, my young friend, let us pray together before you execute your design." Then he began to pray in this way: "It is no longer necessary, O God! that thou shouldst defend this young man, and declare thyself his protector, since he has taken upon himself the right of seeking his own revenge." The young man fell on his knees before the old hermit, and prayed for pardon for his wicked thought, and declared that he would no longer seek revenge of those who had injured him.

Noble. A rude undertaker struck a weeping boy away from his mother's coffin, and elicited the retort, "I'll kill you for that!" At a later day, the undertaker was arraigned for trial in a criminal court. A young man volunteered for his defence, whose genius entranced all, and secured his acquittal. The acquitted thanked his volunteer advocate. He refused thanks, reminded the other of the scene at his mother's coffin, and said that he had now sweet revenge.

Punishment of. On him that takes revenge, revenge shall be taken; and by a real evil he shall dearly pay for the goods that are but airy and fantastical. It is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion. Bp. Taylor.