The day after I received the text informing me that the great arch-enemy of America had entered eternity courtesy of American Navy SEALs, I ventured to turn on the television for a moment or two. I honestly wasn’t looking for more information, bin-Laden was dead; I was more curious as to how we would respond.
I witnessed the following:American Celebration
Which reminded me of the following:Muslim Celebration
So what is the difference? Is there a difference? Groups of people opposite each other celebrating over the demise of the other, is one side justified and the other in the wrong?
In case, dear reader, you have made it this far into this post please understand that I have no sanctimonious position to defend. I have cheered in like manner plenty of times in my life. I stand guilty as either or both of these groups.
I am also exposed to timeless truth. When these images flashed across the television screen I could not help but remember the following,
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” ” (Ezekiel 18:32, ESV)
Only God is just. Only God bears the true weight of our wickedness. His response is not exultation over the eradication of the made-by-hand. I really don’t know what God feels, even if I did, how could it be put to words? Perhaps “Jesus wept,” is all we shall need.
I do know they say the man is dead. I do know that eternity is his lot and by all accounts bin-Laden never turned from his belief that Allah commissioned him to act as he did. He will now know, without defense and without ability to make redress, the truth that his life lived as judge-of-the-world is the worst place to be when one stands before the Judge of the world.
Far be it from me to follow such a path.
TheNarrowRoadPursued 
Nothing to add really, other than to chip in my $0.02 — when I saw some of these street celebration, I thought “This is what a completely God-less world looks like.”
I feel like I’m in a dream sometimes. Like The Running Man or some other future dystopian story has become the present reality.
Scary stuff. Now, more than ever, I feel like beating my breast and praying “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
I would give you far more than two cents! I looked up “dystopian” GREAT WORD…describes perfectly in a few syllables the reality we are creating in rebellion to the reality God desires. If you haven’t read The Crowd Culture it is hard to appreciate that the “future” is now…and it was foreseeable.
To you both, (Robert and Jeff) may I add, “Amen.” It is a tragic thing to rejoice over the death of any human being, and justified though that death may be in the eyes of both the law of man and God, it should be mourned with the same awe and reverence as the death of the finest saint, because “it is given unto man but once to die, and after this the judgement.” When that judgement is eternal death, how can we celebrate what wounds the heart of our Creator and Beloved Savior. My thought is always, “there, but for the grace of God, go I”…such evil lies in the heart of each of us, as well as the knowledge of our great God imprinted there. May He soon return.
True word as well…live once then judged…frightening thought, petrifying really if not for grace.
Good word dad. The text I sent you wasn’t in celebration, more in plain shock. Danielle Kramer posted a great quote that I think is very pertinent to this situation.
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. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Alyssa,
I didn’t think you were celebrating, I actually received more than one text…all were mere information. You also provided a thoughtful quote and furthered this discussion. Thank you!
When I hear of the tragic death of anyone who is known not to be a Christian my heart mourns for them and what could have been. Reading Roberta’s comment I heard the echo of my mother’s voice. When any of us would point the finger or criticize another her comment was always “there, but for the grace of God, go I”. Thanks Roberta for the reminder.