The Death of the Wicked

I had intended to write a different post today, but when I woke up this morning, the news regarding the death of Osama bin Laden dominated my Facebook feed. Many of the statuses I read from my Facebook friends and acquaintances were characterized by joyous celebration, which got me to thinking.

Specifically, the question on my mind was, “How should a Christian respond to the death of someone like Osama bin Laden?”

The words of Ezekiel 18.23 seem relevant:

“Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?”

On a day like today, I think it is entirely appropriate to be thankful for the hard work of those in the armed forces who risk their lives for the safety of those of us back at home. I also think it is appropriate to be thankful that a man who spent his life planning and carrying out acts of terror will no longer be able to do such things.

But as a Christian, I don’t think it is appropriate to celebrate bin Laden’s death—a wicked man who lived a violent life opposed to Jesus and His teachings has reached a violent end and will one day face judgment. That’s a tragedy, and I don’t think it should be celebrated.

In short, if the Lord GOD takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, probably His followers shouldn’t either.