Jesus has a better way to overcome evil in world

By Editor | January 27, 2011 |

“Where was your Jesus-God when the crazed kid killed and wounded folks in Tucson?,” an angry and frustrated friend asked. “Couldn’t he have stopped such an evil act?”
He was there, for sure! At the back of the crowd, weeping for God’s children who ignored him as he showed them his way, as they ignored Jesus’ presence in our lives (Matthew 23:37, 38).
It was the same place the savior stood when you had an abortion, because you weren’t willing to have your life interrupted by a baby.
It was where Jesus was when the war was declared in Afghanistan or Cuba or Iraq or Vietnam or Korea or the Phillipines or the United States! When the Irish were not welcome, when Native Americans were massacred, when people of color were lynched.
Jesus-God was there when I spoke angry words to my spouse and betrayed my marriage vows. Just as he was present when Judas betrayed him in the garden; embracing the enemy, wondering why we can’t grasp the truth and life of his way (John 14:6).
Jesus was there (he’s always there!) reminding us of the higher standard that will overcome evil and usher in the new day of which Martin Luther King dreamed.
“I give you a new commandment,” Jesus said. “Love one another; you must love one another, just as I have loved you. It is by your love for one another that everyone will recognize you as my disciple.” Then he does what he proposes, forgiving his executioners as he is nailed to a cross (John 13; Luke 23:34).
Where God is embraced, the power of evil is overcome (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus lived that, and saw even our most dreaded enemy fall on Easter mourn. He knew that “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” would win the day!
Jesus taught us to pray “Deliver us from evil” in the always-answered prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). When we embrace his life, death and resurrection, the sting of sin is removed, the power of sin is overcome and God gives us the true victory through Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 15:54-58).
I do not know when the next assault of evil will take place. Yet, this I believe: Jesus will be there, holding us in the strength of divine love to the hope that he has brought, giving us the victory that will last forever.
“Come and see” the “light of the world” invites (John 1:46; John 8:12). Come to Communion with Jesus this weekend. The savior will be there with God’s spirit for you.
You, too, will know how we shall overcome evil.