“I’m truly sorry,” Oskar Gröning said publicly during his 2015 trial. As a former Nazi officer at Auschwitz, prosecutors charged him for his role in the wickedness of the Holocaust.
Eva Kor, a Jewish survivor of Auschwitz, did something unexpected She shocked many people with her actions. She shook his hand in court. Later, she even hugged him.
“I forgive the Nazis not because they deserve it, but because I deserve it,” Eva said.
Shock Them with Forgiveness
She explained that forgiveness wasn’t about excusing Oskar from legal responsibility—it was about freeing herself from hatred and reclaiming her own power. By choosing to forgive, she found peace and closure, transforming her pain into hope and resilience. Eva’s choice reflects the radical forgiveness Jesus calls us to practice.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
For those of us who are followers of Jesus, loving our enemies is a command not an option. God forgave us of everything we’ve ever done, so we must forgive others to be set free from bitterness.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.” — Proverbs 25:21-22
Eva’s actions weren’t just amazing—they were deeply biblical, reflecting what Jesus taught his followers. The phrase “burning coals” in Proverbs is a metaphor for awakening someone’s conscience.
When Proverbs talks about giving your enemy food and water, it’s about more than just meeting physical needs—it’s about extending grace.
That’s what Eva did for Oskar Gröning. She had no obligation to shake his hand or embrace him. But she did.
God rewarded Eva with inner peace and emotional healing. She was no longer consumed by hatred for those who destroyed her life. Instead, she found freedom.
Eva’s extraordinary act of forgiveness might seem impossible to relate to, but the same principles that freed her from hatred apply to our everyday conflicts—even the seemingly smaller ones that can consume us just as powerfully.
Choose Forgiveness
I considered myself a kind person, but at a previous job, a coworker constantly yelled at me, ordered me around and expected me to do things that weren’t my responsibility.
I didn’t know how to react. I’m not quick to anger, but over time, I reached my breaking point. I nearly quit my job. Fortunately, human resources intervened.
Everything in me wanted to humiliate her the way she’d humiliated me. That’s human nature—we want justice. But God was calling me to something higher. He wasn’t asking for civility—He wanted me to show her kindness.
I prayed for her, even after I left that job. I asked God to bless her and to help me forgive her.
Perhaps showing her kindness would have freed me, but I never tried. Would showing her kindness have brought greater peace through obedience?
What About You
Forgiveness is never easy especially when the offense is one as horrible as what Eva went through. Bitterness eats you up inside even with the small offenses. Eva forgave and found freedom and inner peace. I chose forgiveness and found release too. Just as Eva found freedom through forgiveness, we too can experience this liberation in our own relationships.
Eva said she forgave “not because they deserve it, but because I deserve it.” She was set free from bitterness by forgiving Oskar for his wickedness. What do you think she meant? How does forgiveness serve the forgiver?
What about you? Have you ever extended grace to someone who mistreated you? How did it impact you? Write about some ways you can show kindness to those who have hurt you.
Sources & References:
“Proverbs 25:21-22.” The New International Version Bible, Biblica, Inc., www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2025%3A21-22&version=NIV.
“Matthew 5:44.” The New International Version Bible, Biblica, Inc., www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew%205%3A44&version=NIV.
“Luke 6:27-28.” The New International Version Bible, Biblica, Inc., www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%206%3A27-28&version=NIV.
“Auschwitz guard trial: Oskar Groening admits ‘moral guilt'” BBC News, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32344604.
“Forgiving Abuse Not Forgetting Auschwitz Eva Kor.” The Guardian, 1 May 2015, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/01/forgiving-abuse-not-forgetting-auschwitz-eva-kor.
“Survivors Forgiveness Eva Mozes Kor.” Tablet Magazine, www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/survivors-forgivenesss-eva-mozes-kor.
CANDLES Holocaust Museum & Education Center, www.candlesholocaustmuseum.org.