Other Sheep

Is it proper to celebrate when my enemy Is killed?  Or is it more appropriate to accept that the act had to occur, but mourn?

As I write this, the lives of three world-known tyrants have been taken in the past five years.  Each time there has been dancing in the streets.  Controversy soon followed between those who felt the reaction was called for, versus the view that rejoicing over any death – even a justified one – makes the rejoicers little better than the person who had to die.

I look to the Bible for answers.  There I find that the children of Israel danced and sang when the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea.  The song gave praise to God, but it was a party in the presence of Egyptian dead bodies, nonetheless. Jesus told us to love our enemies.  Is it possible to love a despot, and be pleased about his or her demise at the same time?  To human reasoning this is difficult, but it might make sense at some spiritual level.

Scripture gives a bit more insight as to the state of mind of the Hebrew people after their enemies were destroyed.  It says: When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in Him. Perhaps fearing and believing in the Lord are the safest reactions I can have when faced with a complex situation like this one.  There are no simple answers.

One of the gospels tell us that The Kingdom of God can be compared to what happens when a man scatters seed on the ground. A plant grows, eventually yielding ripe grain.  Then, we’re told “As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because harvest has come.”

The time it takes for a seed to become a fruit-bearing tree or plant can be long.  Once the fruit appears, however, it’s harvested right away.  Life in general acts similarly.

Much of what God has taught me on the spiritual journey has taken years to learn.  He’s very patient in that way.  When the lesson is complete, God’s pace quickens considerably.  Before long, some situation comes up in my own life or someone else’s, requiring me to engage that very understanding … not in words, but in compassion and acceptance.

The Kingdom Of God is about producing fruit in individuals.  Scripture gives us the names of the crops: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self control.  People everywhere are starving for just those things, so no matter how long it takes for the crop to grow, harvest time comes quickly … just as soon as the crop is ready.

A famous portion of scripture is the one where Jesus proclaims: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. I wish I could have been on the scene when the Lord said that, to catch the tone in His voice.

Most of the sermons and teachings I’ve heard on this verse have been solemn and lofty.   They portray something mystical.  But I wonder if that’s really what Jesus had in mind or if He was simply giving us a glimpse of how much He loves being with His people … like the college student who tells his friends, “Whenever you guys get together, I’m there!”

No doubt this scripture is a great promise with deep meaning.  Pesonally I love it.  It shows me that Jesus is a party animal.  So let’s have a party.

A lot of things didn’t happen in my life this week.  I didn’t get in an accident, break any bones, or receive a troubling diagnosis.  I didn’t fight with my wife, damage friendships, lay awake worrying (too much), or even misplace my car keys.  In many respects, it was a nothing week.

Jesus met with a group of people in a house one day.  We don’t know the exact number who were there, but the Bible does tell us it was standing room only.  In the midst of the gathering, He healed a man of paralysis.  The question pops into my mind: “How many people at this get-together realized that they received a miracle?”

Certainly the man who walked for the first time experienced something miraculous.  But what about all the ones who got zilch?  Did they understand just how fortunate they were?

In this life, which is often filled with trials and disappointments, nothing can be a very welcomed change of pace and a true divine gift.  So today, my prayer to God is simple … Thanks for nothing.

Jesus was good friends with a family comprised of three siblings – Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus.  Scripture tells us that Jesus had a special love for each one and hung out in their home.  Likewise, they were generous with hospitality and gifts.

When Lazarus came down with a life-threatening illness, the sisters sent word to Jesus.  The Lord’s reaction seems odd … “So, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.”  I’ve often wondered why Jesus didn’t drop everything and rush to His friend’s side.  Isn’t that what a true companion would do?

Even worse, Lazarus died.  Of course the rest of the story is that after Jesus finally got there, He called on God and Lazarus came back to life.  OK … Jesus held the trump card.  Maybe that had something to do with His strange initial response.

Knowing that the situation is under control in the hands of One who is supremely powerful definitely takes the crazy urgency out of the equation.  Getting to this realization, however, requires that I spend time in quiet, reflecting on the smallness of even my greatest problem in light of who God is.  I’ve got to constantly work on that.

Will this insight cause me to trade in my often chaotic pace for a calm, serene life of saying “What’s the rush”?  Well, I’m probably not there yet, but maybe I’ve gained a little perspective.