In September 2018, Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, who was off-duty, had entered the apartment of Botham Jean which was one floor directly above hers. She thought there was an intruder and opened fire, killing Botham Jean. Amber was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

At the sentencing Brandt Jean, Botham’s brother, said, “I wasn’t ever going to say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do. And the best would be to give your life to Christ. I’m not going to say anything else. I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again, I love you as a person and I don’t wish anything bad on you.”

With many feeling the sentence was not enough, anger erupted outside the courtroom where chants of “No justice, no peace,” could be heard. But back in the courtroom Judge Tammy Kemp, granted Brandt Jean’s request to hug his brother’s killer, Amber Guyger who wept when the two hugged and she herself hugged Guyger as Guyger whispered in her ear. Kemp answered quietly, “Ma’am, it’s not because I am good. It’s because I believe in Christ. None of us are worthy. Forgive yourself.”

This is the forgiveness Christ calls us all too

Matthew 6:9-15

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us today our daily bread. 
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

 

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