“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-191
It seems our nation is no longer as polarized as it once was. With the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, many on the Left and Right have come together in a mutual hatred of corporations, especially those that take your money but deny granny’s cancer meds.
If you look at social media comments, it is quite disturbing how people are cheering Thompson’s murder, portraying him as the villain rather than the victim. We still have the blood of Lamech2 flowing within. We take pleasure in the suffering of others - especially if we don’t like them. Vengence is still deep in our hearts and we rejoice when the “other guy gets what’s coming to him.” We forget that everyone is someone else’s “other guy.” Brian Thompson, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and so on, are made in the image of God and are all loved by someone. They are fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, etc.
By all human standards, Jesus had good reason to be vengeful but he was not. When he stood before Pilate, he could have called legions of angels to save himself, but he did not3. From the cross, he said, “Forgiven them, for they know not what they are doing.” Post-resurrection, he forgave and restored Peter. Daily God does not take vengeance upon us but is patient. He laments our sins and graciously forgives those who repent and seek his favor.
Do not give yourselves over to Satan. Don’t take joy in the suffering of others4, but pray for them. God will repay the evil that people do with perfect justice. It is not our place to play God. Vengence belongs to him alone.
Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for not taking pleasure in my misfortune and for being gracious to me in all things. Do not allow me to rejoice in the suffering of others, but help me to relieve their distress. Help me to honor life always and not take joy in destruction. Keep me from having a vengeful heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.” Genesis 4:23-24 (Like Lamech, we rejoice in our vengeance.)
“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53
“But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.” Obediah 1:12