I had a good friend of mine today mention that I should share my thoughts about this tragic nightmare that has left husbands without wives, children without fathers, and mothers without sons. To be honest, I don't want to write anything about this dreadful display of humanity at its worst. However, there is something nagging in my gut that tells me to write. Furthermore, after I jumped into the conversation about Fort Hood today on Twitter, I realized that there are some who do not respond to what happened today with sadness and grief but respond rather with anger and revenge. For this reason, I write.
In case you have not heard of this calamity, an army Major (army psychologist) stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX, gunned down his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood killing 12 and injuring 31 (as of this writing). The base immediately went on lock down as police, FBI and medical personnel arrived to apprehend this person and help the wounded.
Other than the obvious that this is a travesty of unnecessary bloodshed, tensions arose due to the nationality and religious affiliation of this Major- he is an American Muslim and recent convert to Islam. That colors the events a bit doesn't it... or should it?
I am saddened by this grievous rampage and carnage but, as I stated earlier, this is a human dilemma. This is a crime of horrific violence committed by a human against a human (or humans in this case). I do not intend to make light of this situation, as many families today have been turned upside down. My heart grieves for them.
I am left with a few choices. Do I stand by and shrug this off since it didn't happen to me or anyone close to me? Do I join the throngs of Christian conservatives yelling at the liberals? Do I join the liberals who blame the current gun laws? Do I hurl insults and violent language at Muslims and Islam? Do I choose to allow hatred into my heart for people of a certain nationality or religion?
Let me ask this question, when in the history of humanity has violence ever satiated violence? Or, to put it another way, since when has fighting fire with fire ever worked?
We all know this example all to well. Some nationality or religious tribe hurts the neighboring tribe who retaliates with more firepower or soldiers who then retaliates with human bombs (or planes) who then retaliates with bigger guns who then retaliates with... you get the point. Violence only leads to more violence.
Interestingly enough, Jesus had something to say about this too.
When Jesus began His revolution and began establishing a reality for humanity, one of His first discussions was about how to react to violence. He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38-39)
Jesus continues a few minutes later with, "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. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matthew 5:43-47)
Trust me, that didn't sit well with the people of His day either... and it shouldn't. We want justice for these types of actions! The people of Jesus' day did too. This same type of brutality was running rampant then just as it is today. The Roman government was oppressive and war-driven. The jewish people wanted a Messiah that would overthrow the Romans from oppressing them.
Little did they know, Jesus was doing just that. He was giving them the freedom from oppression that they desperately longed for and desired; just not how they envisioned.
Jesus got to the root of the matter only a few moments before giving these two stunning examples of how to treat injustices done to anyone who would call himself or herself a follower of Jesus. He said, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." (Matthew 5:21-22a)
Did you catch that? Sinful anger = murder. Jesus goes on to tell us that lust is the same as adultery.
I have to admit that according to Jesus' definitions and standards, I too have contributed to the injustices of this world. To clarify, if my thoughts and heart sin but my body does not, then I am just as guilty as the person who actually follows through on their thoughts with action. In Jesus' reality, there is no difference.
I believe what Jesus said is true. Therefore, if I believe what Jesus said to be true then I must also face my own depravity. I must get really honest about who I am and my own shortcomings.
This takes me back to the Major and the tragedy of today’s events. This man chose to act upon a desire; a desire for retaliation or revenge that stemmed from anger or resentment or bitterness that was conceived in his mind. This gives tangibility to what James wrote when he said, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:13-15)
Jesus came to establish a Kingdom unlike any other that is completely counter-intuitive to our society. He came to release us; we who are held in spiritual captivity by our own depravity to give us freedom. Not that we deserve this gift of love and sacrifice, but Jesus' forgiveness is offered to us freely so that we can give it to others freely. Jesus even tells us, "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8) This is exactly what Jesus meant when He told us to "turn the other cheek."
Imagine this... what if the next time someone attacks us we choose the Jesus-way and served our enemies instead of hurting them? What if when the next terrorist cell declares war on Americans we go feed their hungry, clothe their naked, and give shelter to their homeless? What if we actually take Jesus at His word and instead of attacking each other with words and guns, we chose weapons of love and forgiveness?
This is the type of world that I want to see created and have given my life to see come to fruition. I choose to join Jesus in His mission to bring restoration, healing, and peace!
I think it's time that we lay down our guns.
(Video: Lay Down My Guns by Sanctus Real)
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composed by
dave
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