Reflections on the big news: Is it ever right to celebrate death?
On Sunday evening, my mother came into the office of our home and said, “The President is about to make an announcement that seems to be a pretty big deal.” I dropped what I was doing and went with her to hear more. Of course, the networks broke into their normal programming 15 minutes before the end of the hour but the announcement wasn’t made until about 15 minutes after the hour. If you are a fan of the show The Apprentice then you are very much aware of the timeline because you missed the famous words, “You’re fired” for this particular episode.
When the news finally hit, I had a mix of emotions as I am sure many did. There was some sense of relief, of thankfulness, of security, but also of sadness. As a Christian, do we ever celebrate death?
I remember when the beginning of this long chapter in our world’s history began on September 11, 2001. I was living in St. Louis and attending Covenant Theological Seminary when Jamie called me and said, “You need to find a place to watch the news.” Our country has been different ever since that day as the name Osama Bin Laden was introduced into our lives. Is vengeance the right response? The New York Daily News had a picture of Osama Bin Laden with huge letters that said, “ROT IN HELL”. I certainly understand and empathize but is there a better way?
The question then is this, How do we think about the death of Osama Bin Laden as Christians? Is it appropriate to celebrate his death? Are we dishonoring the innocents who were murdered that day by not celebrating? How would our Savior have us respond to the death of our enemy? Let me mention one passage of Scripture from our Savior from Matthew 5:43ff:
“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 children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
First, Christ calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This is what makes our Savior so unique and His love so “perfect”. When Jesus calls us to “be perfect”, he is not saying that we are able to be morally perfect. Rather, Jesus is saying that if you have experienced the fullness of God’s love then express that love toward others. In doing this, you are living well. You are moving toward what God has created you for. You are moving toward wholeness and perfection. We aren’t made to hate, we are made to love God and love others. A quote from Martin Luther King that is swirling around the internet right now is appropriate for us at this point:
“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Second, we all want justice and renewal. The reason that any of us feel vengeance from this event is because we want justice and for things to be made right. God has created us to both act justly and to be treated justly. That is a holy desire and emotion. However, his death does not correct the destruction he has caused.
Let me give a personal example here. When I lived in Charlottesville, VA and was part of Trinity Church, I had the opportunity to serve and pastor the Jr. and Sr. High students. One of the students that I had discipled for three years lost a brother who died in battle in Afghanistan. I assure you, the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death does not make Brad’s death any easier for me, for my friend, or his family. The kind of vengeance and justice we need can’t be fully realized with the news of Bin Laden’s death. But, it can be realized in the resurrection.
Third, Christ calls us to celebrate the fact that we are His children. Our joy, our hope, our renewal, and our salvation comes from the love of our Father in Heaven. Our ultimate hope does not come from our ability to exact justice. It doesn’t come from our ability to visit vengeance on the enemy. Rather, our “perfection” comes from the Lord. Christ calls us to move toward and celebrate life. Remember how Christ himself looked down from the cross upon those who hated and despised him and said, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing.” As God’s children, we are enabled to have a love that is beyond human wisdom and human power. It is a love secured for us by the love of the Father. It is a love that is massaged into our hearts through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is a love that comes to us as vengeance is expressed against our faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
I was talking with another pastor about this event and a parishioner of his said it wonderfully when he said, “Only one man’s death fixed everything, and we already celebrated that last week.” Christ’s death becomes our death and His resurrection becomes our resurrection. I am thankful that death will not ultimately have this last word for our world. As Christians have said throughout the ages:
Christ has died
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.
