Arrested by the communists during the Korean War, a South Korean Christian was sentenced to die before a firing squad. But when the officer in charge learned that this man headed an orphanage, he changed the order. Instead, he forced the believer to watch as his 19-year old son was shot to death in his place.

Some time later the communist officer was captured by United Nations forces, tried, and condemned to die. But before the execution, the Christian whose son had been killed made an emotional plea in behalf of the officer, asking that he be released into his custody. His request was granted, and eventually the officer was converted to Christ and became a pastor.

This is a true story. How could that Christian find that kind of forgiveness?

Tags: forgiveness, Korean War, mercy