Which Reality is Truer?

The World As It Is

In the days following the bombing of the Boston marathon,  the majority of the nation has expressed outrage and sorrow over the bombing. There has been grieving regarding the loss of three innocent lives and the permanent injury of many others. The thoughts and prayers of the nation are poised towards Boston.

An event like this seems to put different versions of reality in conflict. We have different groups dictating that we should view this tragic event in different lights. I would maintain that each of the views put forth reveal truth about our world, just on different levels. They are truths within truths--concentric circles of reality, if you will. Allow me to explain.

Circle One

The innermost circle is the circle where most Americans live. In this reality, we have the claim that the kind of event that we had in Boston does not happen in the United States. This is a true statement; in the US, we are not plagued with IEDs and roadside bombs. Violent deaths are not the norm within our country. And, it is because of this that we find ourselves outraged and horrified when violence occurs against our citizens. Americans are much more inclined to react with disbelief when we encounter true violence and evil acts.

In America, you expect that the police and the military will keep you safe. When these systems are found wanting, our world is rocked. We expect that everyone should live to reach a ripe old age. And, we are shocked if this does not come true.

Circle Two

The greater reality here is that violence and death reign throughout the world. Americans may react with shock and disbelief when these things happen in our lands but the fact of the matter is that these kinds of things happen consistently across the world. There are countries where violent deaths are just a fact of life. The people in these lands see grizzly sights on a daily basis. For them, the concept of safety is illusory. Bombs explode frequently. Friends and family die. They find that there is no guarantee of living to a ripe old age.

We find here that the American view, while true to an extent, is limited. This reality, the bigger picture reality, is a reality filled with pain. It can be found everywhere. Grief is woven throughout this reality. And, often, the grieving process is not just for distant strangers that were struck down before their time--it is for friends and neighbors. This is a reality full of torment, both of mind and body.

The Greater Reality

Yet, there is a greater reality even still. The fact remains that God reigns over the earth. His is a reign of justice and peace. His reign is spread through His ambassadors, the Church.

The gospel is adequately called the gospel of peace. His is a reign that is properly spread without violence or threat of the sword. His rightful ambassadors do not use bodily harm and announce the fact that He brings peace to the soul.

The King of this Kingdom was coronated with suffering. This Suffering King is in tune with the suffering of this world. He knows the pain of separation and loss. And, as King, He has the power to heal the hurt of the world. He does not turn a blind eye to the world but seeks to restore it.

This reality, this Kingdom, is a reality that is both now and not yet. As we go about our work as ambassadors, we make the greater reality of the Kingdom part of our current reality. Yes, there is pain and loss in our world. But, that is not the way things are supposed to be. And, there will come a day where these current pains and injustices shall no longer be.

What we find, then, is that it is our job as Christ's ambassadors to squeeze the greater reality onto our current reality. We seek to do God's work upon the earth that His reign may be known. We do this so that the world may know that God is King and that pain and death are powerless as a result.

Evildoers of Infinite Worth

When Bad Things Happen

Today, the United States was rocked with the news that two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, killing at least three and injuring over a hundred more. News like this can shake you to your core. Your most basic traits come forward with your first reaction. I found this to be true of myself today.

Reacting to Tragedy

When I first saw that the Boston Marathon had been bombed, the first words out of my mouth were words I regretted. I was talking to the secretary in my department and I said, "The Boston Marathon, the pinnacle of a runner's experience, has been marred with this." I realized as soon as I said it how calloused it must have sounded. It came off like I only cared about the race's reputation. Deep down, I had not intended it to sound like that. What I was hinting at was the fact nothing is sacred anymore--you are no longer safe in school, at the movies, or even at a road race. To me, the Boston Marathon was something pure; it was something that those watching and participating in could simply enjoy without the complications of life. But, with what happened today, this is no longer the case. A day that was supposed to be a day of joy became a day of sorrow. Today is now a day of bad memories.

This simple fact grieves me. We are no longer allowed to simply enjoy things. There is potential for the loss of life at every turn.

Considering the Perpetrators

After my initial reaction to the news, I began to research the story further. After seeing images from the explosion, I realized that prayer was a necessity in this situation. I began to pray for the victims, that God would bring them healing and comfort. Then, I started to think about the evil itself. It was then that I realized how the Cross has shifted my perspective.

When I considered the perpetrators (as of 11pm CST on 4/15, there is still no word as to who did this deplorable act), I felt compelled to pray for them. My prayer was not that justice and the sword would find them. Instead, it was that remorse, repentance, and grace would find them. My prayer was (and still is) that the God of peace, who is comforting those who mourn as a result of this act, would restore the hearts of the ones who did this.

The typical response to a situation like this is something akin to "I'd love to have 5 minutes alone in a locked room with whoever did this" or "There's a special place in hell for people like that." This reaction is typical because it demands justice in the here and now. It values justice more than mercy. It demands that our enemy pay for their wrongdoings. But, Jesus told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:43-48). And, you have to admit that Jesus did not place a limit on how far the term enemy goes. Speaking to first century Jews, Jesus' crowd would have heard, "Love those who kill you and your friends for no reason. The ones who destroy your home and possessions and throw you in jail just because--pray for them."

When Christians join in on the talk of taking part in old fashioned justice, they abandon the thought of the perpetrators possibly being redeemed. It seems as if Christians subconsciously think, "My sins may be bad but I never KILLED anybody. That's the point of no return." If Christians want to abandon the hope of redemption for killers, they might as well throw out over half of the New Testament. When we read the writings of the apostle Paul, we should realize that no one is beyond redemption.

In truth, Christianity should be the religion of compassion. And, when you consider the kind of person that would commit an act like we saw today, you realize that they need compassion just as much as anyone else. Yes, they committed an act that caused much pain. But, we have to imagine the depth of the pain that would fester into the kind hatred that could make these acts possible. If only they knew they love that heals all wounds and makes enemy love possible. If only they knew the power of the persecuted and risen Christ!

When an evil act like this occurs, we can stand and condemn the perpetrator all day long. But, seeking to solve violence with violence, threats of violence, or condemning threats of "cosmic justice" will solve nothing. It is the self-sacrificial love of Jesus that will restore our world. It is our responsibility to treat everyone like Jesus would--as people of infinite worth, evildoers and all.