What Would Jesus Say to Osama bin Laden?

Since September 11 I have been keeping a list of things that have changed. Here are some of the things on my list.

Some of the Myths that died during the
Week of September 11th

• That Americans can work, travel and live without FEAR

We used to live without fear of attack, bombings and so forth. Now Fear is a present reality. My son, Tim, is part of the Falls Church's internship working with Senator Tim Hutchinson (Arkansas) three days a week. September 11 was his first day at work and, two hours after reporting for work, he was told to evacuate his office. His internship was designed to teach him how to integrate his faith into the workplace and how to be a leader. He is getting some first-hand opportunities to do just that. We need to learn how to be good at multitasking, doing our jobs while remaining alert. Now we never had to do this before September 11.

• That freedom is FREE

Many in my generation and those who are younger never had to really fight or sacrifice for our freedoms. Our fathers did, but we never had to. The only way we can have freedom is to be willing to sacrifice for it.

• That what happens on the other side of the
  world in not my BUSINESS

Much is expected of those who have been given much. We can try to hide or withdraw from it, but that will lead to our deaths. Or we can step up to the call of Father God and be blessed in the midst of it.

But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. [Luke 12:48]

• That all people are basically GOOD people

Until September 11 we did not know the capabilities of normal people to do such evil things. At the same time, we did not know the incredible courage we would see from normal folks. It was the most common of folks among us who were the heroes. The people on the fourth hijacked airliner who found out what was going on, prayed on the phone with the operator and then said "Let's roll" and overpowered the hijackers. The scripture tells us that people are not basically good but, instead, that they are basically sinful. It is only through the grace and love of Jesus Christ that they become "good!"

• That all RELIGIONS are the same

We found out that all religions are not the same. The religion of the terrorist is inherently evil and needs to be eradicated. It is a blight on the world. It is time to call evil, evil and good, good! The members of the Islamic faith who do not agree with the terrorists (the radicals within their midst) are victims as well.

• That life is all about ME!

Since September 11 somehow all the petty concerns have evaporated. They have simply melted away. Before long they may be back, but for now they are gone and have been put in perspective. We discovered that life is about more than just ourselves.

Some Facts About Osama and
Islam Worth Knowing

Osama bin Laden was born in Saudi Arabia, a son among fifty children. He inherited $200 million, has four wives and around 15 children. He converted to radical Islam when U.S. forces were brought into Saudi Arabia as part of the effort to retake Kuwait from Iraqi forces. He fought with the Afghanistan forces against the former USSR and his goal is to bring into submission or destruction Israel, moderate Islamic leaders, and the influence of the West.

Osama spent his money on a Jihad against these targets and, in particular, Jews and Christians. He sees no difference between military and civilian targets if they fit into one of categories noted above. He is a formidable problem for mainstream Islam and a challenge for them and the West.

The Muslim religion is based upon "Submission," submission to God, and they want Christians and Jews to submit to Allah (their god). The word Jihad means striving or struggling. The internal form of this is to struggle or strive to get rid of that which is bad in a person. The external form is to struggle with the non-Muslim world in order to cause it to submit to Allah (their god). The Muslim faith must be on a jihad (the internal type). If they are not successful in bringing the world into "submission" by persuasion then they may use economic and force if necessary to make it happen.

I heard a news report the other day that said that, with the exception of one country, all the borders between Islamic and non-Islamic nations are in conflict. I don't know which is the exception.

For the moderate Islamic believers, it is going to be very hard for them to clean their house of the more radical elements. We need to be in prayer for them.

So, What would Jesus say to Osama bin Laden?

Well, I don't know for sure, but if we look at scripture and see what He did when He met someone like Osama we might get an idea of what Jesus might do. Paul would be a good example. He was ready to kill for God. He was, in essence, on a jihad -- the external kind.

What do you do with a person like that? A person who is so angry and so dedicated and convinced they are right that they are willing to kill for God? [Acts 22:4] You don't convince them by argument! So God just knocked him off his horse with a lightning bolt. Maybe God will knock Osama off his camel!

Paul was hunting Jesus, not His followers, he just didn't know it at the time. When Paul got knocked off of his hourse, he asked "Who are you master?" [Acts 22:6-8] You see, Paul thought that Jesus was dead, but He wasn't, and at that moment he knew it! Then once Paul got Him (Jesus) he didn't know what to do with him! Have you ever noticed that every account of Jesus appearing after the resurrection has Him appearing in power?

So... If Jesus werer to get to Osama first, what might He say?

I. "I know all about you! -- I know where you live; the Americans don't, but I do. I know your passions, your anger, your disappointments, the hatred in your heart, and yes, your readiness to die." (These are things people don't want anybody to know about them. [Rev. 2:18-19]) Then Jesus might say "Come to me, just as you are."

II. People matter to Me!" Under the the Taliban's rule women must be covered, they must wear shoes that don't make loud noises, they may not use hospitals where men are treated and they can't work there either. Women are not allowed to have an education past the eight grade.

When U.S. and the Northern Alliance forces "liberated" the major cities in Afghanistan the people were dancing in the streets with joy. They were freed from the previous regressive government. One that was based upon the Islamic belief in "submission."

Remember Jesus and the woman at the well? What was his response to this woman? Compare it to how the Taliban treat women.
[John 4:27] Jesus is love and treats people accordingly because people matter to Him.

• Love never gives up
• Love cares more for others than for self
• Doesn't force itself on others
• Doesn't revel when others grovel
• It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres
• Love never dies

III. "Real Power Comes From My Death." Osama is a formidable enemy but he doesn't know about God's power. He wants you to submit or die, while God wants a transformation in our lives.

Jesus might say to Osama "I don't kill my enemies, I die for them that they may live." "What kind of power do you want in your life? What do you want? T serve or to have others serve you?" You see the real power is in Jesus' willingness to take the punishment we deserved so that we can find the forgiveness we don't deserve.
[I Cor 1:23-25(Living Translation), Mark 10:45, Ezek 33:11]

IV. Finally, Jesus might say "Times up, change and believe!" God gives seasons. He opens doors for us, but He doesn't leave them open forever. [Mark 1:15]