How Should We React To Osama's Death?

By now, the information is old news: Osama Bin Laden is dead. Information moves at the speed of light and only those who have their electronic devices turned off have not had the last several hours to deal with, to process the news that one of the most evil, hated, despised men in modern history has met his demise. Reading through all of the posts on Facebook and Twitter, it is clear to see that there is a wide range of reactions to this news. I would like to propose a framework that could be helpful for Christians as we react to this incredibly historical event. Perhaps the best word I can think of to use for our reaction would be "mixed."

1. Sorrow

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the LORD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? - Ezekiel 18:23

Like it or not, Osama Bin Laden was a human being, created in the image and likeness of God, albeit severely marred and disfigured by the effects of sin. The people of God, like God himself, should not be glad that an image-bearer of God has persisted in his wickedness until his death. No Christians should take delight in the thought that someone will spend eternity in torment, separated from the grace of God.

2. Joy

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. - Proverbs 11:10

We do not rejoice in the death of the man, but we do rejoice that he is no longer able to inflict evil and suffering upon others. The Bible, from top to bottom, is very concerned with the idea of justice. Most average people are also - at least in theory - concerned with the idea of justice. When a person has been dishing out violence upon violence for years, there is a fitting place for gladness that they have met justice.

3. Humility

[Jesus said], “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” - Luke 13:2-4

Jesus, in these verses, was responding to certain Jews who were elated with the idea that tragedy had struck "those bad people." It is all to easy to become overjoyed when God's justice is meted out again those who are wicked in our eyes. What is easy to overlook is our own wickedness. Jesus says "repent."

4. Submission to Government

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. - Romans 13:1-4

I am fully, personally, firsthand aware of the flaws in our legal system, but we should really pause for a moment and be thankful for the privileges, freedom and security that we have as Americans. I have freedom to post a blog like this with no fear of retribution other than one of you readers griping at me electronically. I'm thankful for the police and the soldiers and all the others who "bear the sword" to offer us humans a spitting chance at a modicum of freedom.

5. Urgency

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:11-12

I am fully convinced that the only hope for the nations of the world is Jesus. Part of the reaction that we should have to Osama Bin Laden's death is a sense of urgency to proclaim the good news of salvation to all mankind. The nations rage, people plot, darkness grows darker, violence increases, but the Word of the Lord must be proclaimed to every corner of the earth.

One final note: I find joking and mockery at this point to be in bad taste. Psalm 2 speaks of Most High God looking at the schemes of wicked nations and mocking them, holding them in derision. My perspective on the matter is that mockery/derision is one of those things, like vengeance, that belong to God. There may be a time where God's people, like Elijah, are invited to mock false religion and superstitious belief, but death is not a time for gloating.

I also see the practical implications of this right now. Do you remember when certain people in Muslim nations celebrated and passed out candy on 9/11? Let's not stoop to that level. Let's not take the joy that we may have in this wicked man's death and descend into petty joking, even if the joke is about Trump or Obama or Palin or Chuck Norris or Where's Waldo or anything else. All the joking is ill-timed, in my humble opinion.