In 2004, I was in Abbottabad, with a large group of Muslim friends, and I was invited to speak to them. The crowd of 5000 gave me an enthusiastic welcome, possibly because I had been introduced as 'Bishop Cook of London'!
On that occasion, as many times since, I spoke of the call of Jesus to his followers, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.' (Matthew 5.9) The crowd on that day were eager to reject the ways of hatred and violence that have marked relationships between many Muslims and non-Muslims over the centuries. In spite of our differences, Christians are called to be those who make the world a better place, by bringing the peace and justice that is close to God's heart.
The events in Abbottabad on Sunday, and the reports of the death of Osama bin Laden, tell us again that we have not been good at following the ways of Jesus. In our muddled and complex world, with many conflicting ideologies, we know that many wicked and dreadful things happen.
It is striking to see how Jesus faced rampant evil on the night he was arrested. 'But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? (Matthew 26.51-53)
My prayer these days is that we will all take steps to build good local relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures, so that Jesus may be seen and known in the darkest places.
Best wishes,
Richard
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