My Reflctions of the Death of Osama Bin Laden

As I write this, I anticipate much anger directed toward me.  But as I meditate on the events that have transpired over the last 11 hours, I find myself having very mixed emotions.  Let me begin by stating that I think the death of Osama Bin Laden is a good thing.  Like every American, every year on the anniversary of 9/11, I mourn the death of the innocent Americans that died at the hand of the terrorists he led.  With a heavy heart, I think about the children that lost parents.  I think about husbands and wives that lost their soul mates and thank God for my wife and family.  I mourn the loss of the soldiers that have died over the last 10 years, fighting for freedom and to end terror in this world.  I am proud of this country and thank God for the freedom I have each and every day; the same freedom I have to write this blog today.  I love this country, but it’s not the Kingdom I choose to serve.  The Kingdom of God is where my perspective must come from, and that’s where my emotions must rise from.  

     

So, with that said, it may shock you to know that I mourn the death of Osama Bin Laden.  Like I said, I do believe that His death is a good thing and our world is safer from it, but I still mourn his death.  From beginning to end, this man’s life and America’s association with him has been nothing to rejoice.  The news we received on Sunday night was simply the pinnacle of a long progression of war and death, and more than likely, not the end.  War and death are not something to celebrate.  In the general scheme of things, the Kingdom of God has not been advanced one inch.  To be honest, from an eternal perspective, what has transpired doesn't matter all that much.  War is not a sporting event and as much as we want to believe it, Jesus is not on our team.  He doesn’t rejoice at the death of Osama Bin Laden and does not breathe a sigh of relief that America gained a few more points in the game.

What I do believe is that God is very much anticipating how each and every one of us is going to react today; not so much from an external perspective, but internal.  What do our hearts really feel at this moment?  What is the truth that will be taken from these events and what is God’s perspective on what has happened.  That’s the perspective that I choose to view this from.  And a great deal of that perspective comes from Scripture.  But before I refer to Christ’s words, let me address one particular perspective that I’ve seen some folks using as a defense.

 

Many people refer to some of the Old Testament examples of war, and how God seems to bless, approve and even rejoice in the victories of Israel.  It appears that by looking at these many references, God endorses war and rejoicing in the victories of war.  I understand completely why some well intending people would use these examples as justification for America’s rejoicing today.  However, as with anything in Scripture, we have to look at this from a proper perspective.  The nation of Israel was God’s chosen people.  This was the nation that He chose to build this world through.  These were the people that would begin the long progression of events that would bring Jesus Christ into this world and begin the eventual realization of the Kingdom of God coming to fruition.  These were His people, His nation, His mission and in essence, His  In many ways, it was not the people of Israel fighting other nations, but God fighting through them to defend Himself, His honor, worship and glory.  When Israel celebrated the death and victory from war, in many ways it was God celebrating and the people glorified God more than they did country.   They celebrated in the Temple.  We celebrate on the White House lawn.  

So, flash forward several hundred years.  Things have changed.  Messiah has come.  Jesus has inaugurated the Kingdom of God and calls the people of Israel to start looking at things very differently.  In essence, Rome was terrorizing and oppressing God’s people and they wanted nothing more than for a political and military Messiah to rise up and smack Rome on its ass.  But instead, we start hearing things like, “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 pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)  “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 5:39)  "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew26:52)

These are only three examples, but in the historical context of these references from the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus is speaking to the Jews and more than likely referring to the Roman Empire.  I guarantee you that these words were not easy for Jesus’ followers to hear.  They went against everything they felt, were taught and believed at that point, but Jesus was calling His followers, and all of us, to look at the world from a different perspective.  To open our view of “kingdom” and “nation” to more than just the borders that surround us.  To view brother and sister to include more than just those that we see each and every day.  In essence, Jesus was calling us to view the world from His perspective and not ours.  You won’t like hearing this, but God loved Osama Bin laden, longed for his salvation and knew the number of hairs on his head, just as he does for you and me.   And that leaves me with a sobering thought.  Would those that cheer his death, be the same one's cheering his salvation?  And how many of us actually prayed for his salvation?   

This does not diminish the death of those that lost their lives on 9/11 and does not take away from the fact that Bin Laden’s death is justified.  Like I said before, in reality, it is a good things that he is dead and if you were to ask me if I am glad, in a deep dark place in my heart, I have to admit that I am.  I will admit to you that my first reaction to the news was excitement, joy and the urge to celebrate.  But taking a few steps back, and asking myself the cliche question, “What would Jesus do?”, for the life of me, and as hard as I tried, I could not image Him standing on the lawn of the White House, arm in arm with Americans and chanting, “USA!  USA!  USA!” 

9/11 Reflections - The Kingdom of America or the Kingdom of God?

This day seems to have "feel" to it. Every year, on this solemn anniversary, it's as if a cloud descends upon my world, and the events seem to be happening in real time. Similar to Christmas Eve, the day seems to be magically alive, but not with expectation and joy, but with heavy meditation and sadness. The anniversary of 9/11 has always been a very reflective day for me. I always find time to meditate, pray, and talk with others about what we've learned from such a culture-altering event. I remember that Tuesday morning as if it happened yesterday. I remember exactly what I was doing, as I sat at my desk. I remember how the sun looked as it crept through the trees outside my office and through the window. I remember thinking that it looked and felt like Fall, although it was still very hot and humid in typical South Texas style. I remember receiving the first email about the first plane that hit the World Trade Center, and not paying much attention. And I remember the feeling of darkness I felt as I began to realize what was happening when the second plane hit.

I remember the patriotism of Republicans and Democrats alike, joining together as one, and the united atmosphere that developed. If only momentarily, we put aside our differences, anger and hatred, joined hands, encouraged one and other, and wept with one another. Despite the tragedy that had just occurred, a warmth filled the air, and priorities seemed to shift to what they should be in the first place.

But there is one other thing that I also remember, that leaves me feeling a little empty, saddened and a little angry. Looking back, I remember the "pep rally" atmosphere that seemed to develop almost overnight, including in the Church. Churches of all denominations began pumping their fist, chanting, "USA! USA!, wearing red, white and blue and covering the cross with the flag. When I heard the news of the first attacks on Afghanistan, I called a pastor friend of mine to discuss what was going on. His reaction, "Light 'em up, baby! Light 'em up!" My heart sank, I sheepishly said, "Yeah! Right!", and quickly made an excuse to hang up the phone. But I'll admit, part of me was sharing his emotions at that time.

"Light 'em up, baby!" Think about that for a second. Like most people at that time, my friend was excited that America was retaliating. It's somewhat natural to take joy in the vindication of the evil that had been inflicted on so many innocent people. But what he was not considering was that at that very second, people were dying. His first reaction to the bombing of human beings, and what would become the beginning of a long period of war and death, was excitement. Yes, at that time, many of these people were our enemy, but whether we want to admit it or not, innocent children were dying, women were screaming and holding their babies, and men who had nothing to do with their country's politics, were doing their best to protect their families. That's the reality of war. That's the reality of a fallen world.

Now, don't get me wrong. The events on 9/11 were tragic, and unfortunately, America had to react in some form of retaliation. I'm not advocating pacifism. What I am questioning is our "reaction"; reactions to war as Americans, specifically those of us that call ourselves followers of Christ. The Church. The Body of Christ. Should we react to war as if it is a football game? Should we cheer on the sidelines, hoping that our opponents get their skulls crushed as we rush down the field of enemy territory to victory? Or should our reaction be more solemn? Should we pump our fists in the air, chanting, "USA! USA!", or should our fists be folded in prayer, asking God to protect the innocent and allow peace to return to His kingdom quickly? Should we be so quick to wave the flag before we lift up the cross? Should our reaction be hatred for our enemies, or a nation, or should we consider the words of Jesus Himself who said, "But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44)

You see, for Christians of this nation, America is not our kingdom. America did not invent Christianity and Jesus was not from the Heartland. War should not be a sporting event and we should not be so quick to pray for our team to win. Instead, should we not pray for an end to war? Should we not pray for not only the safety and protection of our country, but also the safety and protection of the world? Because whether we want to admit it or not, the entire earth belongs to the Kingdom of God. Americans, Iraqis, and Afghans are all human beings that God created. He wants ALL to be saved, not only Americans. (See 1 Timothy 2:3-7) And guess what? Even terrorists are in need of redemption.


After things settled down on 9/11, I left work and made my way to a prayer meeting at a friends house. I stopped in HEB to grab a drink and an energy bar for lunch. As I walked out, an old woman was walking toward me, weeping hysterically. She could have been my grandmother and I felt tears in my own eyes forming. As I got closer to her, she grabbed my arm and through her sobs, she began to say, "Did you see what they're doing in New York?! Did you see what their doing to us!?" I was in tears at this point and I just nodded my head. Then she said something that sums up my feelings this morning. "Just pray. OK? Please, son. Just pray."

Pray. Just pray.