8:45 a.m. (all times are EDT) A hijacked passenger jet, American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, Massachusetts, crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, setting it on fire.
9:03 a.m. A second hijacked airliner, United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston, crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes. Both buildings are now burning.
9:43 a.m. American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. Evacuation begins immediately.
10:05 a.m. The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses, plummeting into the streets below. A massive cloud of dust and debris forms and slowly drifts away from the rubble.
10:10 a.m. A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 a.m. Hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashes into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburg.
10:28 a.m. The World Trade Center’s north tower collapses from the top down as if it were built of dominoes, causing a great cloud of smoke and debris.
8:30 p.m. President Bush addresses the nation, saying, “Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil.” He asks that the nation pray for the families and friends of Tuesday’s victims.
All of us who are old enough remember that day, September 11, 2001. Most people could tell you where they were and what they were doing when they learned the news of this evil event.
Many in the United States began to respond by demanding that we “Nuke them!” “Wipe them off the face of the earth!” Others questioned the event by asking, “How could God allow this to happen?” And yet on the other side of the world, people were rejoicing in the streets, throwing candy to the children as they chanted, “God is good!”
How did you feel? Angry? Fearful? Sorrowful? When our military struck back with “shock and awe” force, did you rejoice? What should be a Christian’s reaction to evil? What did Jesus teach concerning our enemies?
In the Lord’s sermon on the mount he challenged those listening by saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” (Matthew. 5:43-44 NKJV).
(At this point, many may be tempted to stop reading. But I ask you to hear me out. You might be surprised at the conclusion).
On that tragic day it was easy to pray for the injured, the families of the victims, for those searching for survivors and for the leaders of our country. But what about the wicked, evil persons who instigated those horrific acts? You may ask, “Why pray for them?” Because a proper attitude towards our enemies is a qualification to being “sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew. 5:45). Will those outside of God’s family go to heaven? We know better.
Why would God desire that we pray for our enemies? Because Jesus died for them also (John 3:16; 2 Peter. 3:9). God so loved the WHOLE world that he sent his son to suffer and die at the hands of evil men so that we might have our sins forgiven. Even those guilty of shouting “Crucify Him” were extended the opportunity to be forgiven (Acts 2:36-41). Which is the greater sin; the events of September 11, 2001, or the murder of the Son of God?
Am I saying that it was wrong for the United States military to avenge the evil perpetrated against our nation? Absolutely not! The apostle Paul taught, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord, (Romans 12:19). The Bible informs us that one way God enacts vengeance is through the government. Read Romans 13:1-4. It plainly states that: Citizens are to be subject to the governing authorities (vs. 1). The authorities that exist are appointed by God (vs. 1). Those who resist authority resist God (vs. 2). Rulers are a terror to those who do evil (vs. 3). Rulers are God’s ministers to do good and bear a sword as an avenger of God to execute wrath on those who practice evil (vs. 4). However, some abuse this power as did Pilate in the condemning of Jesus (John 19:11).
A Christian is commanded to support the government’s action of punishing the wicked, yet, we do not rejoice over their destruction and death. Lost souls are involved. For this we do not rejoice.
Our Lord knew that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. This destruction was the result of the Jews rejection of God’s love for them. Jesus looked upon the city, which was full of evil rulers and people who would arrest, mock, beat, spit upon and ultimately kill him by nailing his tortured body to the cross. Jesus saw the city that was full of evil persons who would persecute and kill his followers. Jesus beheld THAT city and WEPT over it (Luke 19:41). Why? God’s vengeance would ultimately visit the evil Jews for their rejection of that which was good. The heart of Jesus was broken over the thought of Jerusalem and her people being destroyed, and yet, he supported His Father’s decision to punish them.
Our Lord is the example of what our attitude should be toward our enemies and ultimately the punishment for their evil they bring against us. But first and foremost, the Son of God desired that even his enemies be obedient to God and be saved from their sins. Those who will be rewarded a home in heaven, “the sons of God,” desire the same. What do you desire?
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