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Article Archive |
2007
Holy Provocation?
by Jim Morris
Our Military Police unit was pressed into service outside our regular shift. The post had an unusually large group of trainees scheduled to pick up their monthly pay. Since most of them were to be paid in cash the threat of robbery increased significantly. The pay station selected was one of the post gymnasiums.
MPs were stationed inside and outside the gymnasium. Those at the exits had shotguns. Two on the roof had M-16 rifles. An MP was stationed between each exit to roam about a close perimeter freely. The exit lanes were roped clearly to disperse the crowds quickly as they left the gym. Our canine units patrolled the outer perimeter as a backup. We all stayed in constant radio contact.
Tensions were high among us that morning. Rumors had it that something was going down. It was our job to make sure that it did not. We were there to see that everything ran smoothly and safely. Lives could be at stake.
Then it happened.
A trainee stepped over the exit lane ropes and started to cut across the lawn behind the building. He was told to halt but he continued on in defiance. I radioed the officer covering that section. He was waiting for the trainee.
As soon as the trainee rounded the corner the officer grabbed the young man by the lapel, and pinned him against the wall spreading his feet into a search position. When the boy resisted, the officer slammed him back into the wall with intense anger. I asked my fellow officer what happened. He said, “He resisted and I was provoked!”
“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51-53).
Samaritans and Jews had a long history of mutual hatred. They despised one another so much that Jews normally traveled on the east side of the Jordan when traveling from the north to go south to Jerusalem to avoid conflicts. Jesus chose to go through Samaria.
“When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, 'Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them, even as Elijah did?'” (Luke 9:54). Elijah had showed folks that you don't mess with God's messengers (2 Kings 1:1-17). Surely these Samaritans deserved the wrath of God for their resistance! Surely this is “holy provocation”?
“But Jesus turned and rebuked them, And he said, 'You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.' And they went to another village” (Luke 9:55-56).
How should we treat our enemies? Love them as Jesus loves you.
07-25-07
# 30
