Death shall have no victory

‘‘The human heart is desperately wicked,’’ proclaimed the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah. If you do not believe it, read today’s newspaper or recall what had happened in Gujarat recently in the name of religion. The riotous mobs, which went about burning innocent children and women, should remind one of the crowd of Jesus’ days which shouted,‘‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’’ They ultimately succeeded in killing the Lord of Life and releasing to freedom a notorious robber and murderer, Barnabbas.

Now the realities of life’s injustice, persecution, sin, suffering and pain cannot be wished away. Then what is the way out? On the Cross, the Lord of Life displayed a method of overcoming evil with good. He had taught men that they should repent of sin and practice forgiveness; they must turn the other cheek when struck on one cheek and they should pray for their enemies. He did not simply preach a philosophy, but demonstrated his way by living it. On the cross, he prayed for His enemies: ‘‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.’’

His death on the cross, which almost makes it appear that He is a loser, is in fact the act of redemption planned by God for the redemption of mankind. Mysterious as this may seem, His resurrection on the third day establishes that death is not the finality; but life is. The light of His resurrection brings hope for mankind from the darkness of death. This is the hope He promises to all who believe.

He expressed the principle of the cross in a pithy statement: ‘‘Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.’’ (Matthew 16:25) A grain of wheat falling into the ground dies a certain death; but it brings forth many grains, giving the farmer both bread and seed for the next harvest. This is the way calamities have been turned into opportunities in the annals of Christianity.

Does the Cross present any clue for breaking the cycle of conflict in Gujarat? Could force or power heal the rift? Violence cannot be won over with violence for those who take the sword shall perish by the sword. The Cross calls for repentance on the part of those guilty of crimes and for forgiveness on the part of those who are wronged (regardless of their religion). That alone would bring about lasting reconciliation. But such forgiveness and repentance call for a spirit of humility and a spirit of sacrifice.

At the Cross, the most bitter hatred turns into love and forgiveness. Christ’s spirit can turn stony hearts into hearts of love and compassion. This is the transformation He has called for in human affairs to end the cycle of conflict by overcoming evil with good.

As someone put it: ‘‘To strike back when struck arouses the combative instinct in your antagonist, to run away when struck arouses the hunting instinct in the pursuer, but to turn the other cheek arouses the deeply tender instincts in him.’’