Middle Ground

This morning I was confronted with the news that Osama bin Laden is dead. I haven't even looked at Facebook yet today, but it's my understanding that there have been a variety of responses. From what I've heard, it seems to me that there have been two main responses to the news - 1) joy that bin Laden is dead, and 2) the statement that as Christians we cannot rejoice in anyone's death. As I've thought about these two responses I've wondered to myself, "Could there be a middle ground???"

It's not that I don't understand where both responses come from, I certainly do. I understand the sense of relief that a man whom has made it his goal to kill people that think differently from him is no longer alive. On the other hand, I also know the command that Jesus gave to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." But, there's something in me that says that our response is not an either or. After all, Scripture (especially the Old Testament Prophets) speak an awful lot about justice.

Perhaps the better response for us as Christians is to rejoice that some of the evil that is in the world has been restrained. But at the same time, can we cry that a man, whom was loved by God, is dead? I know there are some that would think it's impossible to do both at the same time, but to me it seems that this is the only way. I'm not suggesting that this is easy, especially for those that lost loved ones on 9/11, but then again, when we follow Christ it may not always be easy, but He will sustain us.