Easter message in Iraq’s liberation?

While we may not be able to exactly parallel the service and sacrifice of the American-led coalition with
the price of Christ, the principle bears striking resemblance.

Perhaps one of the most fitting examples of the spirit of sacrifice and liberty which Easter represents, is portrayed in the recent liberation of the Iraqi people by the United States and their coalition partners. Well over one hundred coalition soldiers gave their blood and lives for this major cause.

Christ was innocent of all sin,, but He had to pay the ultimate price in the cruel death on the cross, so that mankind could be liberated from the brutal hold of Satan and sin. While we may not be able to exactly parallel the service and sacrifice of the American-led coalition with the price of Christ, the principle does bear striking resemblance. The Bible says that Christ, “for the joy that was set before Him; endured the pains of the cross and gave His life” (Heb 12:2) When one looked at the sheer exuberance and exhilarating joys of the Iraqi people, the moment they were liberated from the shackles of one of history’s most brutal dictators, there came a profound sense of fulfilment, relief and rejoicing in our own hearts.

It is said that all it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. We must be extremely happy that in the case of Saddam Hussein, the US and its coalition friends did not sit back and allow this most diabolical evil to prevail. Of course, we all know that this action was rather slow in coming and long overdue, but as the saying goes, better late than never. The Bible tells us, “We who are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom 15:1). In other words, those who are given superior strength are provided with such empowerment so they can liberate the weaker ones from their various forms of captivity, despite personal costs and inconveniences. From this viewpoint, the US has used its super power nobly.

Via the technology of worldwide television, millions have been watching in absolute horror as the coalition’s invasion continues to expose unbelievably atrocious acts and obsessions of this Hitler-type dictator. The entire free world today breathes a sigh of relief, although we know that the war against this kind of terrorism is far from over. (“Evil men shall wax worse and worse in the last days” — 1 Tim 3:13). As this column predicted a few weeks ago (under the caption, “Anti-war Hypocrisy”) we already see staunch opposers of the war, such as France and Germany, openly declaring that they are now happy that Saddam is overthrown. As I also predicted, opposing countries are now ardently seeking to reap post-Saddam benefits in the reconstruction of Iraq, among other things.

The coalition’s victory should boost the confidence and courage of the US, its allies and all of us in the free world. It’s this kind of bold, decisive action demonstrated by the US in the overthrow of the devilish regime of Saddam Hussein which has been responsible for the freedom we today enjoy over the free world. As for the United Nations, we can appreciate this body for many things. Effectively dealing with the kind of terrorism and related evils in the present world, is definitely not among those things. The US must not get carried away as a world bully. But they also must not allow their noble thrusts, in the war on terrorism, to be daunted. We do understand that the US has adopted certain postures in the past (and even in some current situations), which have raised legitimate questions about their motives and ability to be dispassionate in their international dealings.

I recall in a particular instance under the Clinton administration, when asked why the US did not seek to take strong action against the Government of Sudan for their vicious acts of atrocities against their people, then Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright casually said, “This will not be marketable to the American people.” For the US, this was the end of the story. There are other cases to which we can refer. Nevertheless, we cannot throw out the baby with the bath water. Somebody has to stand up to heartless terrorists who hate democracy, freedom and godliness. We will prefer diplomacy and peace over war any day. But this world surely is not heaven, and, as regrettable as it may be, the language of war is the only one that most terrorists understand. The US has to wage this war against these evil elements at an international level, but right here in TT we have to get into our own wars on a daily basis as we declare “war on drug traffickers”; “war on kidnappers”; “war on crime”; “war on AIDS”; “war on poverty” etc.

So as we see, whether on an international scale involving Bush, or on a local scale involving Messrs Manning and Chin Lee, war is war, and we all engage in it to dispel evil and preserve good. Because of this, an anti-war philosophy in today’s world appears to be completely meaningless, if not ludicrous. It can in fact hasten the demise of the good. In the midst of all these “wars” though, let’s remember that One named Jesus won the ultimate war at Calvary over 2000 years ago, to bring us all eternal salvation and peace.
Have a happy Easter!