It was a busy Saturday morning in El Paso, Texas and shoppers were out in force, buying school supplies. Looking to make the most of their limited funds, Walmart was the right place to find a discount on what they needed. That is what brought thousands of people together in one place, and due to the location, most were Hispanic or of Mexican American descent.
Another person came to the same place, but he was under the control of “The thief” who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). I don’t know his original plan, but he got more than expected for his hatred. The crowd, the elderly and very young made his evil more effective. He wasn’t good at killing; he just needed a wicked heart to murder innocent men, women, and children. The shooter was arrested and will die in prison or be executed.
Along with the outpouring of prayers and sympathy came blame and hatred for the President. Yes, he has made insensitive statements, but if he shares some blame, what about his opponents who fan the flames of hatred and racial tensions for their own reasons? They get a “discount” on spreading their hate-filled message, with 90% of the media echoing their fiery views without charge. The relentless stream of vitriol from the left was bound to provoke responses from kooks and extremists on the left and right. We can do better than that!
No matter what we do or say, there will always be those who kill because of their hatred. The other mass killer on that day was an extremist who supported Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Should we attack them for their extreme views that may have pushed him over the edge? The Police, also targets of so much hatred, killed that shooter within 30 seconds after his first shot. Do they get extra credit because the shooter was white and some of the victims and potential victims were black? GOD forbid! Blame, anger, and hatred are not the answers.
Since hate isn’t working, how about trying love? JESUS said, “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” (Mat 5:44 KJV). But you ask, what if they started it or deserve it? When JESUS was in agony on the cross for something he didn’t do, with His accusers taunting Him, He prayed “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 KJV). That set the standard for how much we should endure and still love.
When asked what the great commandment is, JESUS replied “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mat 22:37-39 KJV). Does that sound like what we have been seeing lately? He even clarified who our neighbor is, with the story of the Good Samaritan, a people who the Jews hate.
When you were guilty as sin, GOD “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). You got the best “discount” because JESUS paid a high price for your sin, and you get eternal life!
Wayne Lance (2019)