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UNFORGIVEN


“Unforgiven” is a 1992 Western, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood. The film also stars Eastwood in the lead role, along with Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film explores how the desire for vengeance unveils the real ugly side of violence. “Unforgiven” was set in motion by a burning desire by a group of prostitutes led by Strawberry Alice (Frances Fisher) from Big Whiskey, Wyoming, to perpetrate vengeance on two cowboys who disfigured one of their own. The Kid (Jaimz Woolvett), William Munny (Clint Eastwood), and Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) answered the call, though with some sense of reluctance. But for the price of $1,000, the heat and the hit was on. And for one sincere question asked and for one shocking story told. Years before Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven" (circa 33 AD), a master storyteller told the story of "The Unforgiving Servant". This time there were no cameras, no director, and no producer, but a storyteller and a heavenly message. It was a story told to impart a spirit and teach a virtue. The question, “Lord, how often do I have to forgive a believer who wrongs me? Seven times?” motivated the “Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” [Matthew 18: 21 – 35]. Peter’s question seeks affirmation of a principle that made performing a seemingly righteous act seven times (more so forgiving a person) the highest good. At the center of Jesus' parable is the life principle that whenever there is a time that we cannot think of any reason, or grounds to forgive a brother or a sister of their sin against us we should always think of how God forgave us of our own sins against him in Jesus Christ [Isaiah 43: 25; Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34]. The response to Peter’s question implies that forgiveness has neither boundaries nor limits. One of the grounds for forgiving our brothers and sisters for their sins against us is on the grounds of the principle of conditional forgiveness of sin by God. The principle of conditional forgiveness of sin states that God will not forgive us of our own sins against him if we do not forgive our brothers and sisters for their sins against us. It is a principle that is clearly stated in Jesus’ words: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive men not their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” [Matthew 6: 14, 15; Mark 11: 25, 26]. The risk of our prayer not being answered by God on the basis of self – determination is far too much of a risk to be taken by anyone [Mark 11: 25]. Forgiveness is both a spirit and a virtue. It is the first step towards healing and reconciliation in the peace process. Forgiveness is seeing the price paid by Jesus for our sins against God rather than seeking the price to be paid by someone else for their sin against us. Forgiveness involves moving from the state of confusion where we currently are, to the state of peace where God wants us to be. In the case that you have never seen Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and you are just wondering about the ending. This is how it goes. The prostitutes did get their revenge as Quick Mike and “Davey Boy” Bunting was both killed. Mission accomplished? Not really. Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) was captured and tortured to death by Sheriff Little Bill Daggett’s (Gene Hackman) men. On the same night, Logan's corpse is displayed in a coffin outside the saloon. Inside, Little Bill has assembled a posse to pursue Munny (Clint Eastwood) and the Kid. Munny walks in and promptly kills Skinny Dubois (Anthony James), the saloon owner and pimp of the prostitutes, for "decorating" his saloon with Logan's corpse. Munny then tries to kill Little Bill, but his shotgun misfires. A violent gunfight ensues, leaving Bill wounded and most of his deputies dead. Munny orders everyone out and then stops Bill from reaching for his pistol. Bill curses Munny -- "I'll see you in hell, William Munny" -- before the latter finishes him with a final gunshot. And that is the rest of the story. I pray that you discover life the way God intends. Richard Wise James

Comments

Michael Dublin said…
George, well done. The consequences of not forgiving are often far greater than the original offense. However, learning what constitutes forgiveness is what most seem not to understand and are often reluctant to forgive due to that lack of understanding. The story of Joseph is the classic example of the stages of forgiveness while the cross is the ultimate example.
February 10, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Olubodun George said…
So true brother Dublin. It is like we are looking for the price to be paid for others for their sin against us and we have forgotten about the price paid by Jesus Christ for our sin against God. I feel blessed to be one of the benefactors of your inspired teachings. Truly South Central church of Christ is the place to be and not Green Acres.
February 29, 2012 at 9:49 AM
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