This form of celebration did not sit right with me and it still doesn't. While I understand the raw human emotion of celebrating that justice had been enacted on this man and the collective sigh of relief that more suffering would not come from his hand, I was reminded of the scenes I saw of people celebrating in the streets at the news of 9/11. I thought to myself, have we stooped that low? Have we become what we say we hate?
My Christian response was not one of joy, but one of sadness. Sadness for the reminder of all who have died under his hand. Sadness of the evil that has spread because of his teachings. Sadness that, as far as we know, he never knew of the powerful grace and love that our God has for him. Sadness that our world could rejoice when another life is taken. Are these the consequences of war and of another person's actions? Yes. Do we need to delight in them? No.
All around facebook the Scripture that keeps coming out from Christian brothers and sisters is from Ezekiel 33:11, "As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live." On this 5th day of May, the National Day of Prayer, that is what I am going to be praying for.
In closing, allow me to share an old devotion that I came across this week that I think speaks to the Christian response for the world today:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45
Max Lucado, in his book The Applause of Heaven, writes about a big, muscle-bound man named Daniel who was swindled by his own brother. He vowed that if he ever saw him again, he would break his neck. A few months later, Daniel became a Christian. Even so, he couldn't forgive his brother. One day, the inevitable encounter took place on a busy avenue. This is how Daniel described what happened:
I saw him, but he didn't see me. I felt my fists clench and my face get hot. My initial impulse was to grab him around the throat and choke the life out of him. But as I looked into his face, my anger began to melt. For as I saw him, I saw the image of my father. I saw my father's eyes. I saw my father's look. I saw my father's expression. And as I saw my father in his face, my enemy once again became my brother.
The brother found himself wrapped in those big arms—but in a hug. The two stood in the middle of the river of people and wept. Daniel's words bear repeating: "When I saw the image of my father in his face, my enemy became my brother."
What do we see when we look at someone who wrongs us or makes our life difficult? Do thoughts of revenge or retribution cloud our view … or can we see the image of our father, our Heavenly Father, in these people? May the Holy Spirit empower us to see our Father’s image in everyone we encounter.
Whether that be in a man who is responsible for the killing of many, the coworker we don't get along with, the family member we've grown estranged from, or the person who looks back at us in the mirror everyday. Let's spend our time celebrating the face of God revealed to us in each other!
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for giving me the great gift of forgiveness. Enable me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Give me the vision to see beyond what is in front of me, to see what is inside of every one of your children...You. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
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