We Call him Saviour part 3 Vigilante vengeance
We call him Savior
Lesson 3
Vigilante Vengeance
Opening scripture
Luke 23:34
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. ([KJV])
Our last lesson we dealt with the first part of this verse, Father forgive them. This week we want to look at Christ's words in the later part of His statement "for they know not what they do."
Several years ago there was an incident that happened which made headlines from coast to coast. Set America on it's ears, and caused people to rally around this person because they were tired and fed up. Let's go back to the story that made headlines.
Thirty-seven years old. Thin, almost frail. Balding and bespectacled. An electronics geek. Law-abiding and timid. Certainly not a description yo would give a vigilante. Certainly not the person you would cast to play Robin Hood or the Lone Ranger.
But that didn't bother the American public, when Bernhard Hugo Goetz blasted four would be muggers in a New York subway. He instantly became a hero. A popular actress
sent him a "loves and kisses" telegram.
"Thug-Buster" T-shirts began to appear on the streets of New York City. A rock group wrote a song in his honor. People gave and raised money to go toward his defense. Radio talk shows were deluged with callers. "They won't let it go," said one of the host.
It is not hard to see why. Bernhard Goetz was an American fantasy come true. He did what every citizen wants to do. He fought back. He "kicked the bully in the shins." He "punched the villain in the nose."He "clobbered evil over the head."
This unassuming hero embodied a nationwide, even worldwide anger: a passion for revenge.
The outpouring of support gives clear evidence, people are mad. People are angry. There is a pent up boiling rage that cause us to toast a man who fearlessly (or fearfully) says "I ain't gonna take it anymore!" and then comes out with a hot pistol in each hand.
We are tired. We are tired of being bullied, harassed, and intimidated. We are weary of the serial murderer, rapists, and hired assassins.
We are angry at someone but we don't know who. We are scared of something, but we don't know what. We want to fight back but we don't know how. And then when a modern day Wyatt Earp walks onto the seen we applaud him. "He is speaking for us! "That's the way to go Thug-Buster!" "That's the way to do it!"
That's the way to do it! Or is it. Is that really the way to do it? Let's think about anger for just a minute.
Anger: it's a peculiar yet predictable emotion. It begins as a drop of water. An irritant. A frustration, Nothing big, just an aggravation. Someone gets your parking place. Someone pulls in front of you on the freeway. A waitress is slow and you are in a hurry. The toast burns. Drops of water, Drip, drip, drip, drip.
Yet enough of these seemingly innocent drops of anger and before long you have a bucket full of rage. Walking revenge. Blind bitterness. Unharnessed hatred. We trust no one and bare our teeth to anyone who gets near. We become walking time bombs that, given just the right tension and fear, could explode like Mr. Goetz.
Question!!!!! Is that anyway to live? What good has hatred ever brought? What hope has anger ever created? What problems have ever been resolved by revenge.
No one can blame the American public for applauding the man who fought back. Yet the glamour fades on such acts, reality makes us ask the questions: What good was done? Is that really the way to reduce the crime rate? Are the subways forever safer? Are the streets now free of fear?
No anger doesn't do that. Anger only feeds a primitive lust for revenge that feeds our anger that feeds our revenge that feeds our anger..........you get the picture, it produces a circle that never ends, vigilantes are not the answer
What does the bible say about revenge? Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ([KJV])
Yet what do we do? We can't deny that our anger exists. How do we harness it? A good option is found in Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. ([KJV]) Here Jesus speaks about the mob that killed him.
Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing. Have you ever wondered how Jesus kept from retaliating? Have you ever asked how he kept his control?
Here is the answer. It's the second part of his statement, for they do not know what they are doing. Look closely it's as if Jesus considered this blood thirsty, death hungry crowd not as murderers, but as victims. It's as if he saw in their faces not hatred but confusion. It's as if he regarded them not as a militant mob but as he puts it sheep without a shepherd: Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. ([KJV])
They didn't know what they were doing, if you think about it. They hadn't the faintest idea what they were doing. They were a stir crazy mob, mad at something they couldn't see so they took it out on, of all people, God. But they didn't know what they were doing. And for the most part, neither do we. Today mankind, still as much as we hate to admit it is shepherd-less sheep. All the world is seeking, searching, but do not understand, that they are born and daily growing close to eternity. They are blinded II Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. ([KJV])
Christ came to take that blindness away, he came to open the eyes, remove the vail II Corinthians 3:13-16 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. ([KJV])
People play tag with the fuzzy realities of death and pain. We can't answer our own questions about love and hurt. We can't solve the riddle of aging . We don't heal our own bodes or get along with our own mates. We can't keep ourselves out of war. We can't even keep ourselves fed.
Paul spoke for humanity when he said he didn't know what he was doing. Romans 7:14-25 and explains that his guidance is not to himself but to have Christ guide him.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ([KJV])
Romans 7:24-25 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. ([KJV])
Now this is where the problem lies, the lost (unbelievers) Christians that will not allow Christ to lead them, who have backslid, do not know what they are doing.
This doesn't justify anything that they do, it doesn't give a free pass to the hit and run drivers or kiddie porn peddlers, the drug dealers. But it does explain why they do the miserable things they do.
My point is this and I think Christ teaches us this throughout the Gospels and his holy word. Uncontrolled anger won't better our world, but sympathetic understanding will ( we can hate the sin, but we have to love the sinner, Christ gave his life to save the sinner.) Once we see the world and ourselves for what we are (sinners) we can help.
Once we understand ourselves we begin to operate not from the posture of anger but of compassion and concern.
We look at the world not with bitter frowns but extended hands (compassion for the lost, wanting to bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ.)
We realize that the lights in this world are out and people are stumbling in the darkness. John 3:19-21 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. ([KJV])
So we light the candles, that will shine and lead men to Christ.
Matthew 5:14-16 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ([KJV])
Our anger and our hating the things that are happening in the world has to give in to compassion for those who are lost. We have to as Michelangelo once said "criticize by creating." We are tired of the crime, create a bible study, an outreach program that will help those who are stumbling and searching by ways of sin. Bring them to Christ. Help the orphans, the kids on the streets bring them to God's house.
When we understand what Jesus did for us and how we can share that with others, we should take on his commandment that he left for us in a different light.
John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ([KJV]
John 15:11-17 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. ([KJV])
Jesus teaches us instead of anger, to forgive
Matthew 18:21-22 21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. ([KJV])
Matthew 5:38-44 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ([KJV])
Jesus was and is the example for us: his compassion for us the lost, reconciled us, gave us a way to forgiveness. It was through the cross of love and understanding and not the anger for revenge.
I Peter 2:19-25 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. ([KJV])
Isaiah 53:3-6 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ([KJV])
We should leave the revenge and Judgment up to God, He is the one that can give Just judgment for he is without sin, we are not.
Ezekiel 25:14-17 14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD. 15Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred; 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast. 17 And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them. ([KJV])
Study guide/ questions
1. Anger : it's a peculiar yet predictable emotion. It begins as a drop of water.....yet get enough of those seemingly innocent drops of anger and before long you've got a bucket full of rage. We become walking time bombs that, given just the right tension and fear, could explode.
A. How serious a problem is anger in our society? What recent examples can you give that illustrate the problem? Why do you think people are angry? Do you agree that, given the right tension and fear, we are time bombs waiting to explode?
B. How "serious" a sin is anger, judging by Galatians 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ( [KJV])
C. Looking at these passages, what typically accompanies anger?
Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. ([KJV])
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. ([KJV])
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. ([KJV])
James 1:19-20 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ([KJV])
What would these passages indicate as antidotes to anger? In view of these passages, would you say counting to ten has some value?
2. Uncontrolled anger won't better our world, but sympathetic understanding will. Once we see the world and ourselves for what we are, we can help.
A. What makes you angry? Have you ever been uncontrollably angry? How does it feel? What helps you control your anger?
B. When Stephen was stoned to death, he uttered a similar statement to Jesus' statement Read Acts 6:8-15 and 7:54-8:1
What parallels are there between Jesus' nature and Stephen's?
How did Jesus' words and Stephens words at their death affect those around them?
Goetz prepared for a situation that made him angry by carrying a gun. What weapons could you arm yourself with so that you would be able to handle a difficult situation with understanding instead of anger?