Easter marks the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The traditional focus is the message of salvation - God's gift of His son to redeem sinful man. But there are many other principles to be drawn from this significant event.
The great plan of God required one major act-the death of His son, and depended on earthly systems for its execution. Jesus did not die by being struck by lightning, sacrificed by His parents, or some other unusual method. Rather, He was crucified; executed according to the prevailing form of capital punishment at the time.
The local debate in Trinidad and Tobago on the death penalty, complete with the drama of warrants read at dawn, pledges of expeditious hangings, and hasty legal motions to delay, appears to have been put on the back burner, unresolved, until another opportune political moment. The issue generated healthy dialogue between proponents and opponents. Some opponents looked to the word of God for support, stressing forgiveness, mercy and love. If God can forgive, they claim, why we don’t. Jesus' death by crucifixion, however, contrasts with this position. For, in the midst of God's plan of forgiveness, we see the cruel hand of the law being effectively utilized.
From the beginning to the end of His word, God reveals that He is a God of justice and judgment. In Genesis, God outlined the rules of the land, and the penalties for noncompliance (Genesis 1:26-29; 2:15-17). When Adam and Eve violated the rules, judgment was swift. The end of the Bible outlines the final era of judgment where all will be asked to account for their life choices (Revelation 20:11- 21). God's mercy and forgiveness are always extended to those who are willing to change their ways, but as a God of justice, judgment for actions is certain.
Throughout the Bible, the penalty of death was imposed on individuals, groups and nations for various transgressions. In the rebuilding of human society after the flood, for instance, God stated that he would demand recompense-through other men- from anyone who takes another's life (Genesis 9:5-6). Certainly, the recent local headlines of lives destroyed by drug trafficking, domestic violence and brutal killings cry out to God for justice, much like Abel's blood after his murder by Cain (Genesis 1:10).
The word of God acknowledges that rulers of society have the right to use and carry out the death penalty. Romans 13: 4 advises criminals to be wary because the State does not bear the sword in vain, but is God's minister to avenge those who practice evil.
Some may refer to the commandment "thou shalt not murder" for support. But murder, the willful, malicious taking of another's life, must be distinguished from capital punishment imposed by a legitimate state authority for a criminal act. Even within the Mosaic laws, this distinction existed.
There will always be societal reasons for opposing the application of the death penalty. It fails to serve as an effective deterrent to other criminals. It assumes one is beyond rehabilitation. A specific method (such as hanging) is barbaric in today's world. These positions can be debated ad nauseam, never converging with their opponents.
Those who govern must ensure that their policies are based on an accurate understanding of God’s laws for good government. They must recognize that it is God who allows them to be appointed (Romans 13:1). They rule on His behalf. And their policies, therefore, must be consistent with His principles. Whatever the outcome in our present debate on the death penalty, presenting a one-sided and inaccurate position from the word of God can no longer is a basis for opposing its application.
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