I was preparing to write about the 9/11 tragedy and our recalling of the horror of approximately 3,000 people perishing in an act of war. Now, we find ourselves facing a war within as we grapple with the political assassination that occurred yesterday. It is disorienting and distressing. How did we reach a point of such division that some resort to violence instead of engaging in open debate that Charlie Kirk was committed to? We are becoming our own worst enemy. It is apparent that it is difficult for us to mourn together without pointing fingers and making political statements.
Common comments fall into three categories, “This is what you get,” “Avenge him,” or “No place for violence.”
To be outraged by the response to the other side (the first two categories) is just perpetuating the same cycle of outrage and vengeance. Our divided country is struggling to mourn together the loss of a 31-year-old husband and father who was also a committed Christian. If you haven’t already, the dialogue between him and evangelist Cliffe Knechtle is worth watching. We are left with the mere platitude, “No place for violence.” All of three of these raises the question, “Lord, where are you in all of this?”
We have seen in our study in the psalms the repeated phrase the Lord’s steadfast love. He demonstrated his covenant love toward us by going to the cross to take our sin upon himself. As he was being mocked and ridiculed, he said "Father, Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:24)." In these challenging times, we need to look to God and His unchanging Word. We are called to be people who forgive, even when it is difficult. The Lord reveals His character in us when we rely on His Spirit and strive to be like Him. The Beatitudes states that we are blessed if we are meek, poor in spirit, peacemakers, and we are even blessed when we are persecuted.
At the same time, as we pray to the Lord for justice, it sadly feels like this may not be the end of the violence. God speaks in Habakkuk 3:17–19: "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Let us strive to understand what Christ has done for us, what He will do for us, and what our response to Him and the world should be. We are beginning a sermon series on Revelation this Sunday. The Christ’s church is always moving towards consummation after the resurrection of Christ. Revelation reminds us that there is hope beyond the momentary trials and struggles of this life. One day, Jesus will return to defeat wickedness and the evil one, restoring the world and making all things new. Let us hold fast to this hope and stand firm in our faith, knowing that victory is certain.
