Posted on 10/03/2019 9:07:32 PM PDT by Kaslin
Wednesday had the power to send my community of Dallas into a familiar tailspin of racial animosity. But it did not happen. It struck many as the intervention of God Himself.
As the day began, the jury that had convicted a former Dallas policewoman of murder had the power to send her to jail to die. Many angry voices in Dallas and across America wanted the full 99 years for Amber Guyger, as if that would somehow balance the scales against past perceived injustices.
“This is for Trayvon, this is for Michael Brown,” claimed activist attorneys seeking to wrap the Guyger case in their preferred narrative of race. But as the jury returned a verdict of only 10 years, and the courtroom fell quiet for victim statements, a message of grace and forgiveness overpowered any gathering mood of discord.
Anything short of Guyger’s head on a platter stood the likelihood of sparking disturbing reactions in parts of the community primed for racial revenge. There will still be those who will complain that Guyger will not die of old age in prison, but as the 18-year-old brother of the man she mistakenly killed took the stand, it was easy to wonder whether frustration or even anger might be the reaction to a sentence lighter than what many wanted or expected.
But young Brandt Jean’s first words set the tone that would rule the day.
“I love you just like anyone else,” he began. “I’m not going to hope that you rot and die….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 for you.”
Prosecution testimony had movingly portrayed Botham Jean as a glowing example of a wonderful son, brother and friend. The goal of that testimony was to prod the jury toward harsher punishment. They did not take that bait, and with a merciful sentence still settling over the courtroom audience, Brandt completed a miracle of grace.
“Give your life to Christ,” he said, looking into the eyes of the woman who took his brother’s life. “I think giving your life to Christ is the best thing Botham would want for you.”
He then asked Judge Tammy Kemp if he could step down from the stand and hug Amber Guyger. After a moment of silent surprise, she agreed, and Brandt strode to a standing Guyger who very nearly ran into his arms.
The power of that moment was a flood of God’s grace, washing away the angry words of any who would complain that justice was not done. Activists said they wanted a maximum sentence as a signal of justice for Botham Jean. But there is no greater honor than to have his very spirit welcomed into that courtroom in the form of a brother choosing forgiveness over hate, grace over bitterness, and God’s teachings over earthly resentments.
The judge herself hugged Jean’s family and then Guyger, who prepared herself to be returned to a jail cell. But the judge did not bring merely consolation; she gave her a Bible, directing her to John 3:16 as evidence of God’s love and direction for her moving forward.
There is no way to adequately describe the force of these moments as they moved through this community. It seemed there were only two possibilities for this day, either a maximum sentence that would smack of a jury’s desire to exact a pound of police flesh not just for this crime but various episodes in the past; or a sentence so light that the streets might fill with anger.
To be sure, ten years was at the low end of punishment at the jury’s disposal. But if Botham Jean’s family and the prosecutors are satisfied with it, angry protests seem unduly out of step with the spirit of the day.
There were a few elements of this tragic story that always stood a chance of unifying the community: our unanimous empathy for Botham Jean’s family, a recognition of the need for some police training revisions, and a wish for a result that could bring healing.
Little did we know that God himself, through His word and His grace, would lead us through the day, speaking through the words of a grieving brother barely an adult.
But as other grownups girded for battle, Brandt Jean showed us how to navigate the hardest of times. Through his pain and the loss of a brother who should be here to guide him through his life, this young man was the instrument of a miracle.
On the road to this trial, it was often observed that no result could bring Botham Jean back. But as the spirit of forgiveness and grace filled the courtroom, his spirit and legacy were on display for all to see and celebrate.
Amber Guyger faces a decade in prison. Botham Jean’s family faces a lifetime of missing him. There is no happy ending here. But there is a reminder of what can happen when we shelve our natural hostilities and frustrations and turn to God, to follow His example of forgiveness and His gift of grace.
“I love you just like anyone else,” he began. “I’m not going to hope that you rot and die….I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you...
If I read that again I’m gonna cry like a b.tch.
This guy really took Jesus’ words to heart.
Just wow.
Wow. My computer screen suddenly became blurry.
Amazing in this day and age of unbelief....God’s love is evident when His people stand up in times like these.
The love and grace shown by this 18 year old young man was incredible. The video is on YouTube. Equally beautiful was the Judge going to her chamber and bring out her personal bible. Tragic and awful incident. God new Dallas needed healing. And hope. I pray the race baiters shut up
Amen. Not sure what I would do, but nothing but respect for the brother. Wow.
all he had to do was say something different and I would have been calling him a lot of terrible words, mostly slurs, at least in my head.
Maybe it’s time to go darken the cover of a Bible with my shadow too.
Two thugs who got exactly what they deserved. Nothing racial about that either. Any white kids that act like they did would deserve a slab in the morgue too.
Do more than darken it, my FRiend. Let its words pour into you. And think of the Grace and mercy we are shown daily. Brandt Jean is a visible, in flesh reminder of God’s unconditional love. I think he gives us all fresh perspective. It’s humbling.
Those are kind words but there aren’t enough defense attorneys on the planet to get me in when my judgement day comes.
Too many BAD sins under the belt, strayed too far, wouldn’t know where to begin.
But this kid may just have changed the course of many young lives in his area. I hope even further.
Why would you need defense attorneys? Jesus Christ took the payment for every sin you have ever committed, past, current, and future.
By turning to Him you can be cleansed white as snow.
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18
All other religions say that you have to do different works to be saved. Jesus Christ has already done the work, through his atonement for our sins on the cross.
Talk to him and confess your sins. He is the only mediator to God the Father. It will change your life.
It was a profound moment. No one was ready for it.
Even the Judge got swept into the tide of embracing the ‘Love’ in the air, vs the ‘Hate’. It goes beyond explanation.
Perhaps these folks had about had enough of wishing evil on their enemy, and were ready to experience the other side of the same picture.
This is something genuine and sincere, that we are used to only seeing portrayed in old Christmas Movies.
We forget that it happens in real life too, if we allow it.
You can start today. We all can.
You’ve acknowledged sin. It is part of our fallen human condition...all of us. You are right, you cannot pay the price; you cannot earn your way into Heaven.
The Good News is that the price has been paid in full by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary.
I agree with your earlier reaction...a stunning turn of events. Likewise, the Judge giving her personal Bible. WOW.
Guyger can turn today, also. God has plans for her.
And He has plans for you, dp0622.
If this is forgiveness then I can forgive Joe Stalin his crimes.
How about a defense attorney from beyond this planet? From the Bible - "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate (Defender) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (I John 2:1)
If we trust in Jesus, He promises to forgive our sins, whatever they are, and to be our Defender! He has already paid the price for all of our sins.
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me..." The man who wrote those words had been a captain of slave ships before turning to Jesus as his Savior. John Newton - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton
The Bible passage referenced by the judge - Gospel of John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
I broke down and cried heavily not just because he forgave her but I felt God presence in that court room and it was strong.
its not tragic. the only tragedy is she shot an innocent guy to death in his own apartment.
What if he came home and mistook her apartment for his and blew her away. Gender reversal would have all the white knight simps here screaming for the gdam electric chair.
Forgiveness does not mean there is no penalty.
She’s guilty, but is still in need of grace and forgiveness. The brother released himself by forgiving. And he so touched the Judge that she gave a guilty woman the chance at a new beginning via the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we should always be slow to anger and dispense punishment. Vengeance bongs to God.
One of the most powerful moments I have seen on TV. It made my day.
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