Last night in evening worship, we combed through the commands of Jesus in Matthew 5. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ calls His disciples to live to a HIGHER STANDARD. “You have heard it was said ‘Do not murder’, but I tell you ‘Do not WISH someone dead.'” Jesus calls us to a holy life, one that hinges on the state of our hearts.
He also told us to turn the other cheek if slapped, and if compelled to carry a pack for one mile, to carry it for TWO. He commanded us to LOVE OUR ENEMIES and PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE US. And now, one week after the brutal attack on citizens, on innocent by-standers, at the Boston Marathon, we are left to ask “What does this mean??” Truth is, it takes on a whole new meaning for us.
Jesus did NOT say to let the remaining bomber off the hook. He deserves to answer for his crimes, and will do this. But I believe Christ is addressing the hatred that we can possibly feel in our hearts towards this young man.
Every time I see a picture of that little eight year-old boy that was killed, my blood boils. It makes me ANGRY. I want to go do something about that. And, I cannot even imagine how I would respond if that had been my son. If one of the young ladies killed had been my daughter. I pray I never have to face that, because I just don’t know how I would handle it.
I think most of us that love America probably felt the same way. We would not hesitate to pull the trigger and end that guy’s life. But vengeance is not ours to be had … it belongs to God Almighty Himself.
As hard as it seems, we have to realize that Jesus Christ died for that young man, “Suspect #2.” Sometimes I wonder if someone had reached out to he and his brother years earlier and told them about the hope of Jesus Christ, if this bombing would have even happened. I wonder if the church not doing our job is the reason these men plunged so far into darkness.
But, Christ made it clear we are to LOVE our enemies and PRAY for those who persecute us. Even though our instinct is to do the opposite. And if you don’t believe me, go read Matthew 5.
A tough thought for the day… But, I believe there is a reason for all of this. I believe God is protecting us from ourselves when He reminds us to love our enemies, because He knows if we plunge into a world of hate and bitterness it will hurt US far more than it hurts anyone else.
The Random Thinker 
Well said! It is hard to not to want to take this dude out but I know it is not right. As a Christian I struggle with something that are against Jesus teaching but try to change that. One is how bad I want revenge when these people especially Muslims who do these acts of terror on people. It actually scary how bad I want them off this earth but I have gotten better since 911. I believe Satan him self is involved in these acts “of course” to distract us from the light if God.