I was headed towards bed last night when I heard the news. Like many of you, I experienced a rush of feelings: relief (that he was gone), thankfulness (that he wouldn’t be around to bring more terror), hope (that we might be one step closer to peace). I also felt some other things that surprised me: pride (that our nation had made it happen), revenge (that he finally got what was coming to him), and, did I even detect a smidgen of . . . joy . . . at his death? It was those final three emotions that have been troubling me. After all, some of them show up on lists of sins, deadly or otherwise.
What is a “Christian” response to the death of Osama bin Laden? It is clear that Christians are responding to this news in every possible way. Some are joining the cheers that began outside the White House last night. Some are thanking the Navy Seals. Some are remembering the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Some are mourning the use of deadly force. Some are wondering and worrying if retaliation will follow. In other words, Christians are responding in the same spectrum of ways as every other American.
Is that right? Should our response as people of faith be on some higher, different level? If so, what should it be?
One of the most meaningful Scripture passages that I found this morning was posted by someone else on Facebook. (Thanks, Susan Sneed!) “Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right - really living?,” Ezekiel 18:23.
Perhaps our touchstone lies there. As those who seek to follow and emulate Christ, our response to this news is tempered. Yes, we are thankful that evil will no longer come from this man. We continue to pray for all of those who have been affected by this man’s actions, from Sept. 11 victims to soldiers deployed currently in the war on terror. There is deep appreciation for the skill and resolve of the people who risked their lives last night to bring an end to this chapter of terror. However. We do not find pleasure in this death. We do not claim it as revenge for what he did to us. We realize that his death will not bring any of his victims back to life, although it might bring another measure of peace to the survivors. We count this death as yet another price of living and dying by the sword.
Paul’s words to the people at Rome, living at a time of increasing persecution, ring in my ears this morning. I note the words, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It is not always possible, but it continues to be a dream that we live and hope towards.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:14-21
Yes, I am thankful that bin Laden’s particular brand of evil is no longer with us. I pray that we will continue to overcome evil with good as we live in the new world that today has brought us all.
