The Sword of Justice

Osama Dead! The headline was in the largest type I have ever seen on the front of our newspaper. The story fills the news this morning and will be buzz of every conversation today. A man who hated America so fanatically that he spent his fortune to destroy her finally was killed by an elite force of US military. Justice was 10 years coming. I cannot deny the real gladness that a person so bent on killing others in the name of his God no longer walks among us, but . . .

There is another kind of dread arising out of the truth I learn from the Scripture. The sword only sows blood and reaps a harvest of even more blood. Osama killed and he was killed. It is as Jesus said: “all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Justice demanded that we pursue him and bring him to death. I offer my appreciation to those who bravely pursued him through the mountains of Afghanistan and to those who finally found him in a house in a town in Pakistan. They carried the sword of justice. But those who think that this will finally bring peace are chasing a mirage. Among those who share Osama Bin Laden’s understanding of the world, hatred will be refreshed by his blood. His death for them is not justice but more injustice, that demands retribution be visited on the ‘Great Satan’ of the West. And so my joy at end of one man’s hateful existence is tempered by a sorrowful realization that more death will come.

Until the hearts and minds of men are changed by an encounter with the Lord of Love, there can be no peace. I pray today for the coming of the Prince of Peace. I am torn between two convictions that collide in my mind today. I am convinced that justice must be done to curb the expression of evil in our world. I am equally convinced that the road to security and peace does not lie through the building of ever greater machines of war. With the deepest of humility I kneel before the Father today to pray for those who lead our nation that they will be honorable and that they will seek the guidance of the Lord. And, I pray for myself.

“Father, by your Spirit, help me to follow the exhortation of Jesus in my personal relationships to ‘turn the other cheek’ to those who misuse or abuse me, so that I can become one who breaks the cycle of hatred that grips humanity. As I have been shown mercy, teach me to show mercy. As I am loved, so let me love.” Amen.
Here’s a word from the Word. May it challenge you this day. "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, NIV)