Remembering October 7


Some major atrocities are remembered simply by their dates. 9/11 is identified with the attack on the twin towers in New York when 2977 people were killed, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in history. In response the United States launched its global “war on terror” in which many more people died. Now October 7 is a day of remembrance for Jewish people of the brutal attack by Hamas terrorists on people attending a music festival in Israel. Children were shot at close-range, many women were raped, dead bodies were mutilated, families were burned alive in their homes and 251 civilian hostages were taken captive to Gaza. The response of Israel to this atrocity has cost the lives of many innocent Palestinians.

In the military response of Israel, we see the power of the State. The early Christians lived under the domination of the Roman Empire. In the face of the fierce persecution of Christians, the Apostle Paul encouraged them to submit to the authority of the State. He wrote “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you.”

In personal relationships Jesus taught the importance of a proportional response and non-retaliation. He said, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.” The “eye for an eye” principle was a firm restraint on extreme “pay back”.

Jesus went even further when he taught his disciples to love and pray for their enemies. He said, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”


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