For teachers
Lesson guide: Forgiveness
Joseph, Esau, Zacchaeus and Jesus on the cross: forgiveness and making things right.
What the passages say
Joseph forgave the brothers who sold him (Genesis 45:4-5; 50:19-21). Esau ran to embrace Jacob, who had wronged him (Genesis 33:4). Zacchaeus promised to repay those he had cheated (Luke 19:8). Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34).
Discussion
Forgiving does not mean pretending nothing happened. Joseph's brothers had done real wrong (Genesis 50:20). What did Zacchaeus do to put things right?