“Let’s annihilate Islam!” Quotes
similar to this have filled my news feed, only eclipsed by “Could America be
next?” I write this while in the UK where the terror threat level has been
raised to “severe,” which means, “A terrorist attack is highly likely.”[1]
These two responses, expressed in anger
and fear, are entirely
understandable. Anger for the injustice of the killings in Paris[2]
and Beirut,[3]
and for those driven into exile from Syria,[4]
makes sense. Also understandable is the representation of fear for one’s own
life and loved ones. In light of the recent atrocities these are natural human responses.
However, only a supernatural response can heal the brokenness of our despairing
situation.
Jesus, in his
life, showed humanity how love (Mt 5:21-26, 38-48), and not retaliation or domination
over one’s enemies (Mt 26:52-54), ultimately conquers injustice. And in his
resurrection, he proved this to be true. His life affirmed for us that he did
not need to exercise force or violence to stamp out the world’s wrongs. At the same
time, the resurrection affirms that Jesus did not stay dead when supposedly eradicated
by his enemies. It is in the hope of resurrection that we can act in the
present with the integrity of Jesus, who, “When he was reviled, he did not revile
in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself
to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Living in light of the resurrection affords
us the opportunity to refuse any acts of retaliation based in anger and hatred,
and to see beyond it into a future rooted in the hope of God’s restoration and
justice. Likewise, resurrection living dismantles the heart of fear by
reminding us that God is truly in control.
The buzzing of
fear riddled the media’s news feed on Friday. Everyone’s worst fears became
reality—ISIS, on a large scale, infiltrated a developed country. Could America
be next? Admittedly, I found myself looking at people differently, some with
suspicion. I wanted to get home quicker so not to be exposed to any threat. I
thought, “Could Edinburgh be next?” Though safety and risk-assessment have its
place, I recognize how this new predicament can stifle life. However, the
Christian faith was birthed in the face of adversity and Jesus never promised
ease. In fact, Jesus not only spoke of his own death (Mk 8:31), but the certain
death of any who would follow him and his practices (Mk 8:34). If death, for
the sake of love (Mk 10:45), is the outcome of the Christian faith, then why
fear in the face of threat? Fear only strips us of our humanity by restricting
us from living out our fullest potential—though, God’s fullest potential may
look differently than our own conceptions. In fear, our creativity, innovation,
and self-giving take a back seat to self-preservation. Consequently, our fear
removes the humanity of others by casting judgment carelessly on innocent
bystanders. It is the resurrection that calls us to look fear in the face and say,
“Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my
sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35). The resurrection further confirms
that we died once and for all the moment we started following Jesus (Rom 6:4). Where’s
death’s sting on someone who has already died and resurrected (1 Cor 15:55)?
What can fear conquer that the resurrection hasn’t already? In a world where
anger and fear is expected, I pray that Christians present another path, one
that views the world through the lens of Jesus’ life and resurrection.
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