“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.”
~ Matt. 5:43-44
It would seem that today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the world in which we live.
For nearly a decade now our lives have felt the impact of the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001 — at which point today’s “traditional” college students would have been in elementary/middle school (grades 3-6).
This would mean that they would have been between the ages of 8 and 12 when these event took place.
What do they remember from that day?
How has their life, and view of the world, been shaped over the past 10 years because of Osama Bin Laden and the extremist organization he led?
Widely considered public enemy #1 of the United States, most Christians and many non-Muslim radicals in the world — from the past 10 years — is reportedly now dead.
This news has sparked a wide-range of emotion and public response around the world.
Here in America… a lot of cheering and celebrating in the streets has been shown in TV news casts — eerily similar to images we’ve seen coming out of other countries following attacks against the U.S.
And there’s a part of me that gets it.
The man responsible for shaking our collective sense of safety and security here in the U.S. is no longer.
And we optimistically think that maybe this means we can move back in the direction of feeling more confident within the boarders of our country…
I want to feel safe.
I want to feel secure.
I think we all want that — to a degree.
But then there’s the tension-filled words of Jesus that echo through my head — and my heart.
Love your enemy…
Love my enemy?
Pray for those who persecute you…
Pray for those who persecute me?
Really???
That’s one thing to read, and try to comprehend, within the complicated context of the life (and death) of Jesus.
But when Jesus was talking about enemies did He really mean people like Bin Laden?
I think the answer is yes.
And that leaves me feeling conflicted about the news of Bin Laden’s death.
Do I believe the world is a “safer” place without him?
Yes.
Absolutely.
But what, exactly, is the appropriate response for Christians who are trying to understand — and live out — Jesus’ radical call to love everyone?!
Even our enemies.
Especially our enemies.
It is my hope, as a pastor to college students, that our offices will be flooded in the days and weeks to come with tension-filled students who are asking hard questions about Jesus’ call to love our enemies — and how, then, we are supposed to respond to the death of this radical leader that has caused so much pain, fear and loss for so many around the world.
I think we have a responsibility, as Christ-followers, to reflect Jesus in the midst of this tension.
I don’t think there are any easy answers to be given.
At least I hope there aren’t.
9 thoughts on “Bin Laden, Enemies and Jesus’ Call to Love Them All”
Amen!
Thanks Steve!
I hear the radical call to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. I wonder who Jesus had in mind as he called his followers to a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. Is my enemy a national enemy I’ve never met deemed an enemy by a particular government? Perhaps. [btw…I’m certainly okay with giving Bin Laden the ‘enemy’ label!] Is my enemy a person, Joe Smith, who does everything he can to slander me, speak all kinds of evil against me, insult me, and work against me? More likely.
I am a little hesitant to see those who work against America as “my” personal enemies. While, as a US citizen, I am bothered when this happens, I refuse to equate America’s enemies as mine. It frustrates me when any allegiances to America (or lack of allegiances) are equated with allegiances to Christ. If I understand the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, these are certainly different!
So, my allegiances to Christ may compel me to pray for the Iraqi moms who lose their sons in war against my nation. My allegiances to Christ may help me to consider Bin Laden as one made in God’s image…is he even a child of God? That kind of perspective (and just the question itself) may be blasphemous to some. At the same time, I wonder if this is exactly the perspective of another perfect righteousness Matthew points us toward?
Very well said Chris!
Chris what’s up brother?
Great thoughts. I was listening to a radio personality (not sure what his name is) who is a Jewish Rabbi and he had some interesting thoughts along these lines for both Jews and Christians. His point was that the words in Matthew 5 and other similar verses are ment to be applied on a personal basis and not on a global one. Simply put I pray for the bully at school because I know him and my prayers are good for him and good for me by giving me perspective. This radio dude argued that in the face of evil (like Bin Laden) it is appropriate for God’s people to rejoice in justice.
For me I’m still undecided on the whole thing. I think it is really difficult to interpret God’s workings in the world while in the midst of current historical events. After all God did use Babylon, the most evil nation in the world to punish His own people. Who can say what God is doing in the world right now. For me it is enough to know He is in control.
On the other hand I find it funny that many are using Matthew 5 in this situation. While Bin Laden was alive, I never really heard a call from many Christians to pray for him (maybe I wasn’t listening to the right people?). Seems a bit too late now for people to say we should pray for those who encouraged evil in the world. It actually does have me thinking who in the world right now need my prayers?
Blessings
Yes. Jesus’ call to love Bin Laden – is AMAZING!!!
I remember 9-11… My sister just landed in Boston airport the day before… I have many many relatives living in New York – I was so worried and scared for them…
And since that day, I hated Bin Laden deeply – I wanted to personally shoot him right in the face… And when he died, I felt great joy in my heart…
But to love someone that you truly truly and deeply hate – that makes love completely boundless and infinite – When we do that, we become one with God and are in heaven…
Only number 17 on the year, huh? Maybe people were avoiding this one.
My thoughts–a little late as usual–focus on the need to separate our Christian ethics from the national ethics. The core values of the United States required the destruction of Bin Laden to preserve its way of life. The “land of the free” and free market system are central to what the U.S. is, and Bin Laden stood in direct opposition. I would have liked to have seen a capture and perhaps an operation that was not potentially an act of war on foreign soil. But the American part of me is happy that this threat is gone.
But the Christian part of me mourns for the loss of one of God’s children. If we believe in a God who offers forgiveness to those who call on Him and eternal damnation for those who deny him, then there is a good chance that the SEAL Team eternally damned him. How can we rejoice in that? Doesn’t God prefer that we turn from our evil ways? Doesn’t he leave behind the 99 to search for the one? Doesn’t Jesus call us to love our enemies? (Which, by the way, I think can be considered a global command now as it was in the setting of Rome occupying Israel.)
In the end (after skipping a lot that I didn’t include in this post), I’m taken to Jesus saying, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” This isn’t about paying taxes; it’s about allegiances. If my allegiance is to the U.S., then I celebrate this assassination. If my allegiance to God is greater, then I mourn and continue to cryout to God for peace on this earth.
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