K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the transformative power of forgiveness through the story of Leonardo Da Vinci, who found himself unable to complete his painting until he reconciled with an enemy. He illustrates that holding onto grudges leads to personal stagnation and brokenness, while forgiveness opens the door to healing and growth. Yohannan encourages listeners to reflect on their own responses to hurt and to seek personal growth through adversity, reminding them that God works for the good of those who love Him. He highlights the importance of humility and servanthood, as modeled by Jesus, in overcoming conflicts and fostering forgiveness. Ultimately, he calls for a sincere commitment to forgive, even in the face of pain, as a reflection of one's love for Christ.

Leonardo Da Vinci and Forgiveness While painting The Last Supper, the artist Leonardo Da Vinci fought with a man. He spoke angrily with the man and they became enemies. After that, he went back and continued his work on the canvas. But however much he tried he could not finish the face of Jesus Christ. Deep inside himself, he felt like something was burning. He became restless and impatient. He set down his brush and went out and found the person he had fought with. Da Vinci said to him, “Please forgive me,” and the other person also apologized to him. They forgave each other and Da Vinci was able to continue painting after that, producing a beautiful work of art. What does the above incident teach us? If we live in stubbornness and revenge, refusing to forgive others, our life won’t produce anything good. We will end up broken and in trouble. God wants to teach us some deep truths through the pain we are facing. Practical Steps to Forgiveness When people hurt us, our hearts can easily be filled with vengeance because of the pain. “I won’t forgive him even to my death,” we say. We think and speak evil about those who hurt us. But for our well-being and for our healing we should purposefully forgive. If it is so, the first thing we have to do is stop thinking evil about the people who hurt us. This could be a mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, neighbor, doctor, teacher, worker, vendor, conductor or driver—whoever it is, let go of your bitterness toward them. I agree with you that they did wrong to you, but you must look beyond that to the Lord who loves you. Look through the adversity to the hands of God, who is working for you. Praise the Lord for the blessing you are going to receive through this. The unchanging Word of God says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who loves him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) When we believe God’s promise, He helps us and blesses us. King David says to the Lord, “Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” Secondly, when you think about someone’s wrongdoing or how they hurt you, you have to ask: “God, through this, what behavior do you want to change in me?” When we react badly to a person who did evil to us, it shows that we also need to grow in some qualities like love, humility, gentleness, patience, loyalty and self-control. Do you think you need to grow in these qualities? Or when somebody behaved badly to you, was your response decent? Were all the qualities stated above in your response? Even if they were, there are always some qualities that can be strengthened, like helping others and living with loyalty, happiness and peace. In Mark 10, Jesus is talking to his disciples and in between they are fighting. One person wants a higher position than the other. It’s a catfight among the disciples! In the end Jesus asked them, “Children why you are fighting? The greatest among you will be your servant.” Later, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet. And he told them to follow what he did. This is a model of how we have to behave with others. In your life, when you are interacting with others at home, at work or in your community—wherever you are—when you are undergoing pain and problems, you have to think, “Lord, what behavior needs to be improved in me? Through these problems, which part of me do you want to chisel down?” Once, Paul and Peter had a fight. The words of Paul hurt Peter, but through this fight there was a serious thing which Peter had to learn. He needed to stand for truth. But in front of his people, the Jews, he was hiding the truth. So Paul told him, “This is not right.” His words caused pain, but Peter did not say anything bad to Paul or react in a wrong manner. “Some qualities in my life should be strengthened. God wants to change my life through this pain.” Peter thought like this and was blessed because of it. He did not fail. This knowledge will help us to forgive. The Bible teaches us that a person who loves Jesus should be ready to suffer for him. “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:13-16) When you are in pain due to others, when neighbors hurt you, when you have to face your life being shattered, don’t react badly. Don’t grit your teeth and live in unforgiveness and vengeance. Say sincerely, “Lord, I am swallowing this pain, these sorrows, and this adversity because I love you.” This way you can build a forgiving heart.