Show Mercy, Not Anger
"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." -- Matthew 5:44
"They shouldn't even bother with a trial," the woman said, referring to the Tuscon shooter. "Just do away with him." This Christian was filled with vengeance. She was judge and jury rolled into one. No compassion. No kindness. Certainly no love anywhere in her. Just another hard heart lashing out in her "eye for an eye" justified mind.
Oh, what a sad state is our world. No wonder people look on Christians with scorn. How can we preach love and then, also, preach revenge? Who do we think we are, dragging Jesus into something so awful? Oh, wait. He's there already. Comforting the families and friends of those who died and were wounded. He's holding on to the parents of that young man who did this horrible thing. And He's waiting, patiently, in hopes that this mentally ill person will heal, repent and invite Jesus into his heart.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating letting this young man out where he can harm others. He clearly is mentally ill. He did a horrible, horrible thing that changed people forever and sent some really good folks home earlier than anyone planned. But God loves him as much as he loves those who were killed or wounded. God is hurting for the shooter just as much as he's hurting for the wounded and the families, friends and witnesses of this awful tragedy.
We tend to forget that as we lash out in anger and pain. The husband of the wounded congresswoman said he'd be willing to meet with the shooter's parents because the shooting wasn't their fault. Another victim said she'd already forgiven the shooter. Compassion. God's love and forgiveness living and breathing in those who are hurting as they reach out in kindness and mercy.
None of us knows how we would react if we were in such an awful circumstance. We don't. We can only pray that God would lead us in such a way that others could see Jesus living within us. Jesus doesn't have a hard and unforgiving heart. He is the face of love and forgiveness. He died to prove it. The least we can do is open our hearts to those He loves as much as He loves us.
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