"The Death of a Man"

My friend and colleague in ministry is Dr. Steve Van Ostran.  He is a person who has exhibited a lot of wisdom in our various interactions, so when I noticed in the American Baptist Churches Rocky Mountain Newsletter that Steve had written the devotional I was very pleased...When I first heard the news of bin Laden's death, I had a mixed reaction... both pleased yet also sad.  I was having difficulty justifying or understanding my own reactions, until I read Steve's devotional on the subject.  I have asked him for permission to share it with you all here.  So here are Steve's thoughts... that reflected so well my own feelings in a way I was not able to express.  Thanks Steve for your wisdom and leadership.  Pastor Bill

The Death of a Man

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10b (NIV)

I have watched with interest the announcement of and the reaction to the death of Osama Bin Laden. I have racked my brain to consider Biblical parallels to this event. The death of the Pharaoh as the Egyptians escaped came to mind. Perhaps David’s triumph over Goliath. But neither quite fits.
In the case of Pharaoh, it was clearly God’s hand at work to kill Pharaoh and there was a clear sense of deliverance from bondage at the hand of God. While I trust and pray that our government was acting at the leading of God, the use of a Seal team is not quite so clearly the “Hand of God” as the rolling back of the sea. And with David and Goliath, the two combatants were clearly on the field of battle. David didn’t go into the home of Goliath in a raid to kill him. Neither of these really works. Maybe there is something somewhere else that fits.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe the U.S. did what needed to be done. I believe that Bin Laden signed his death warrant when he orchestrated the first terrorist attack, period. There is a reality that justice was served in his death as the team sought to capture him. And there is a sense of pride and satisfaction in knowing that the US military was able to demonstrate its strength and even superiority by successfully planning and executing this raid. But I still have trouble rejoicing in the death of this man.
Oh, I understand those who do rejoice. For many of us, Osama has become the personification of evil, just as Jesus personifies goodness. His death for many of us is like the death of Voldemort in Harry Potter or of the Ice Queen in Narnia—it is the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil. For many, Osama’s death is sign that God is still in Heaven, reigning over us and protecting us.
And that is true.
And in God’s providence and protection we can rejoice.
But Osama was not the personification of evil.

He was only one expression of it.
He was a man, just like any of us. A man who—in my mind—was led by Satan down the wrong path; A path that but for the sake of Christ, I might also have walked.
And while Jesus allowed His own Death, He did so in order that we might have victory over death.
In other words, it seems to me that Christ’s desire was that none would die. And as Jesus wept at Lazrus’ grave—as He was saddened by Niccodemus’ inability to accept the life that was offered to him. An so, I have to wonder how Christ responded to the death of Bin Laden—this one, this man—that He also created.
Somehow, I don’t think He was playing bagpipes.

Prayer: Oh, Lord, as we experience incredible relief in knowing this one has been brought to justice, we long for the day when death will be no more, even the death of our enemies. Amen.

Steve Van Ostran ABCRM Executive Minister