A recent article in the Grand Rapids Press on crashes involving Amish vehicles in Michigan highlights how the Amish live out Jesus’ command to forgive. On October 16, 2022, an Amish couple was walking to church along a road in Isabella County when they were struck by a vehicle; the wife died. Some members of their Amish community asked for a meeting with the county prosecutor to let him know that the community forgave the driver, and didn’t want the punishment harder because of them. The driver pled guilty to committing a moving violation causing death, and received probation.

In another fatal crash, where a distracted driver killed an Amish pedestrian in Clare County, members of the Amish community attended the driver’s sentencing and told the judge they forgave the man. He too received no jail time.

The article doesn’t mention whether either driver admitted responsibility or showed any remorse.

Jesus warned us, “If you don’t forgive people their sins, neither will your heavenly father forgive you your sins.” Matthew 6:15. The Amish take this seriously, and are quick to forgive. How about the rest of us?