People, similar to animals, are inclined to be survivors. The animal food chain depends, to some degree, on animals killing other animals for sustenance. Most frequently, this involves the larger and stronger eliminating the weaker. The weaker need not be smaller. Small animals are known to prey on the injured or those handicapped in some way. This handicap can even be environmental conditions. Deep snow has proven detrimental to deer whose survival depends primarily on flight from its predators.
When God completed the creation that we now enjoy, he instructed mankind to have dominion over it. The law of weaker and stronger, of dominance and submission, had been established.
In the Old Testament, wars were fought not only with God’s blessing, but by God’s command. Joshua and his men utterly destroyed city after city in their conquest of the land of Canaan. If the enemy outnumbered Joshua and his men, divine intervention such as hailstones accomplished the assignment. So, the man of war wanting to show his vitality comes as no surprise.
Enter the birth of Jesus. The sword was sheathed. King Herod, in his anxiety, ordered all the male babies in the vicinity of Bethlehem killed, because he felt threatened by this child, who the prophets had said would be King of the Jews. When Peter drew a blade and exemplified his skill in slicing off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus chided Peter. He told Peter to sheathe the blade, and then restored the man’s ear. It is recorded that Jesus could have called twelve legions of Angels to combat the Romans, who were the tools used to bring Jesus to the Cross. But the mob cried, “Crucify Him!”
So, here we find ourselves. The base nature of man is the same as it was four thousand years ago. We are still inclined to determine a threat; sometimes only a perceived threat. And our inclination is to retaliate. When our foe appears larger than what we ourselves can combat, we seek for re-enforcement.
I will not attempt to explain the mental procedure that causes people to become a part of a mob, when they themselves don’t even understand the object of the skirmish. Accomplices to violent crime such as group beatings, gang rape and murder often have incomplete knowledge of why the crime is being committed.
This brings me to a point. How often do we engage in verbal combat, or emotional encouragement, that fuels the fires of divided attitudes or spirits? How often do we succumb to conversations totally improper for a non-resistant follower of God to engage in? How often do we form conclusions on matters we know nothing about? Sometimes motivation for this behaviour comes because we feel pity for someone who considers himself victimized. At times the situation is true victimization. What favour are we doing someone who has suffered an unfairness by crying pitifully with them? The salt of our tears is like salt in their wounds.
Am I advocating lack of empathy? No. Harsh judgement to some hurting one, who needs a listening ear? No. However, we do well to refrain from adding fuel to the fire. If we put ourselves into a position of arriving at judgement, we are stepping outside of our responsibility. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7 A hurting person is searching for mercy. May we be merciful. Mercy is in one’s own heart. We cannot love one person, and despise another. That should not stop us from listening out the wounded one. Sometimes people have been hurt and treated in an offensive manner by someone who claims authority. Perhaps even been bullied. It’s hard to not feel indignation toward a bully. We are, however, not authorized to take part in bullying the bully. “Vengeance is mine,” saith the Lord.
