draft 59

once the delirious euphoria spurred by the killing of osama quiets down, those who harken to the voice and teachings of Jesus can perhaps pause to reflect a bit on this highly sought after thing we call "justice" and the "closure" that it is supposed to deliver.

in truth, as much as we are inherently inclined to believe, the inflicted suffering and death of one who has brought psychological trauma and/or death to a loved one, in and of itself, never brings the healing and peace that we seek from it.... for as any affected parent, child or spouse would acknowledge, the death of another does not bring back the life of the deceased loved one. rather, the true deliverer of peace and healing is forgiveness (of the offender dead or alive).

this is because the act of forgiveness is an act that tries to look beyond the visible surface and deeper into the spiritual spaces of a person where the soul resides in apparent obscurity and neglect.

forgiveness is the only source of everlasting healing and peace because to forgive is to see the face of Jesus in the person we forgive (even if the face that is readily apparent to us is that of lucifer).

one CRUCIAL area of understanding that we followers of Jesus have failed to grasp is this - the redemption of humankind from the exercise (in the state of perfection) of free will to break from God ushered all of us into a new relationship with God that NEGATES and OBLITERATES all previously held norms of justice (for example, the justice of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth").

"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." - Jesus (Matthew 5:38-39 NLT).

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" - Jesus (Matthew 5:43-44 NLT).

"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." - Jesus (Matthew 4:45 NLT).

"do NOT resist an EVIL person!" - wow, my inherent programming makes this almost impossible to do. only with the grace of Jesus can i overcome my inherent nature.

wouldn't it be something if i can actually manage to lay down my life for my enemy?!?!with love even?!? boy, that will really be the day the Lord has made.

forgiveness is the new NORM OF JUSTICE that the blood of the Lamb has redeemed us into. you can validate the truth of this with the Holy Spirit yourself. :)