Violence

We are living in a violent world. Much of that violence is random. In the last week or so we have experienced a horrifying string of high profile murders in Chicago, Atlanta, and Milwaukee. None of these circumstances qualify as “normal” for violent death. A nice residential neighborhood, a courthouse, and a church service are places you should be secure. Not anymore. The violence of our culture can touch you anywhere.

How do we as followers of Jesus Christ respond to this? One important way is to keep telling our story.

We are entering the last phase of Lent, moving into Holy Week. This is a solemn time where we revisit horrific violence. The violence inflicted on Jesus of Nazareth, an innocent man, encompasses all violent actions across the history of our world. Betrayal, injustice, torture, abandonment—elements in this story are found throughout human civilization. Christianity is acquainted with the pain of violence.

But our story also includes resurrection, the overcoming of violence through the redemptive love of God. That is what makes it a different story from any other. Because of this act of God, fear can be replaced with faith, hope, and love.

Without faith, hope, and love our world dies. It dies from vengeance, hatred, and insecurity. These are natural consequences of violence.

In the wake of terrible violence, let us not succumb to fear. Look to the cross of Jesus Christ. Let it be the beacon that guides you as you experience the darkness. And most of all, keep telling the story to yourself and others. The story is what saves us. It is the gift the world is dying for us to share.