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Don't Be Like Them

          Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:15)

          I saw on Face Book this morning that Charles Manson died. I imagine there are some people who will think, “Good!” When Osama bin Laden was killed, people celebrated. When Americans die violently, or when Christians are slaughtered, there are people around the world who celebrate.[1] When the bad guy in the movie or book gets what’s coming to him we cheer. When something bad happens to someone we think deserves it, we smile and talk of Karma. When something good happens to someone we don’t think deserves it, we tend to be a little disappointed.
          I can understand at least part of the celebration of bad happening to bad people and good happening to good. We want the good to win and bad to lose, but I don’t think our line of distinction is clear. It’s easy to step over it and feel a little smug about those whose lives aren’t going so well, or a little resentment about the person who is doing well, especially if well means better than ours. Would you throw a party (at your expense) for the winner of a two-billion-dollar lottery if you didn’t expect that somehow, part of that jackpot would be yours?
          It can be hard to rejoice with those who rejoice or to mourn with those who mourn just like it’s hard to bless those who persecute you. We don’t want to rejoice or mourn what is evil. It’s a good thing when evil ends. I understand that, but we’re supposed to be conforming to the image of Christ. Do you think Christ cheers when someone goes to hell? Do you think He mourns when someone asks forgiveness and gains salvation? Those people I mentioned earlier, who celebrate when Americans die violently or when Christians are slaughtered, do you think they’re doing what’s right? If not, why would you follow their example? Oh, because it’s right when you do it, but not when they do?
         Jonah was like this. He hated Nineveh. He didn’t want to preach to them and he was angry when they repented. The elder brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son was like this. He didn’t want his little brother to come back. He didn’t want to celebrate. The Pharisees were like this. Blessing was for them and no one else. Paul warns us today, don’t be like Jonah. Don’t be like the elder brother. Don’t be like the Pharisees.


[1] I am stating a fact. I’m not suggesting that they should celebrate, or that this is proof that there is something wrong with America. Evil people celebrate when good people die more often than good people celebrate when evil people die.

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